With a score of 1:6,3:4 against Argentina’s Trungelliti, the Styrian was no longer able to continue the party. But there is something clear for the home competition in Kitzbühel and the Olympic Games.
Sebastian Ofner had to retire due to injury in the first round of the ATP 500 clay court tournament in Hamburg. The Styrian was behind 1:6,3:4 against Argentinian qualifier Marco Trungelliti on Tuesday before he was unable to continue the match due to problems in both heels. Ofner gave the all-clear for next week’s home tennis tournament in Kitzbühel as the Olympics begin at the end of July.
“It’s nothing dramatic now. I feel it on the left side, I’ve had surgery twice. And right it has happened time and time again. I will have to check it out to see what it is. But I think it is certainly nothing tragic. It’s tedious,” said the Austrian number one in an interview with Sky. Ofner had to end the 2022 season early due to heel surgery;
Tried painkillers
Even before the duel with Trungelliti, world number 50. considered not running. “As I was playing in, he hit my lower left heel. I said I would try painkillers. But then it was too much and it wasn’t worth it for something worse to happen,” Ofner explained. In any case, the home competition in Kitzbühel is not in danger. “I still have a few days and I will find out what the problem is. I will definitely play and give it my all.” Then the Styrian will have the Olympic Games in Paris on his agenda.
Ofner, who took part in the main competition for the first time in Hamburg, got off to a very bad start. The ÖTV player was prone to an error in the first set with the 34-year-old Argentine and missed serve twice. Ofner left himself eight unused broken balls. The Styrian was not ahead at the start of the second round either, and again conceded an early break to make it 1-2. The 28-year-old was there twice before retiring.
Abandoned for the second time
Even before that, Austria didn’t run to every ball; it was clear that he was in poor health. “I knew if I didn’t win the second set quickly, I would be out,” explained Ofner, who also had to give up the Wimbledon doubles just over a week ago. Back then due to minor shoulder problems, it was also a precautionary measure. (APA)