I'm only speaking from experience.
Poor Venus. She gamely made her way out to Laver, gingerly warmed up, and listlessly got broken by Petko. Then, trying to return a serve down the tee, she lunged and screamed in pain, walked to the chair, requested the physio, had a conversation that involved the words "sharp pain", walked over to Petko, gave her a hug, packed her back and walked off the court to retire from a Slam match for the first time in her career.
And people booed. Fuck them.
She said that she hoped for a miracle and that maybe, just maybe, the adrenaline would kick in and she'd be able to get through the match. But it was too painful and she couldn't go on. Oracene was in the press conference and in response to a question about whether or not Venus consulted any doctors to determine whether she should play tonight, she chimed in and said she didn't think Venus' should have come to Australia in the first place. Funny, but rough.
On when she expects to return to the tour: "When I come back to play next time, I'll be a 100%. So I won't be back until whenever that is. Hopefully, who knows, maybe it'll be for Fed Cup." But don't worry, the end ain't here yet.
"I'm just going to focus obviously on getting healthy and coming back. Because I love tennis and I've got a lot of great tennis in me. I love my job, so no end in sight."
Good to hear. Now we'll just have to wait and see.
So Petko backs up her 4R performance at the USO with a 4R here in Melbourne, benefiting both times by a retirement in the third round. She was definitely amped for the match and said she was really looking forward to play Venus because you don't get a chance to play a Champion all the time. She also hopes that she hasn't become a weird jinx at Slams for her 3R opponent. But she was really happy to be in the fourth round. I'm happy for her, too.
But shit. She's got Pova next. EEK!
(Pic: Forty Deuce)
