sports
January 19, 2026
‘I don’t want to be a punching bag’
Félix Auger-Aliassime surrendered with cramp while Britain’s Fran Jones was among a list of injured players forced to bow out in Melbourne
TL;DR
- Félix Auger-Aliassime retired from his Australian Open match due to cramps.
- Fran Jones retired from her match after tearing a glute muscle.
- Marina Stakusic collapsed with cramps and left the court in a wheelchair.
- Despite the retirements, playing conditions were reported as temperate.
- Auger-Aliassime expressed disappointment at being unable to compete effectively due to his physical condition.
- Jones attributed her recurring injury issues to a lack of proper team support and expertise at a younger age.
- Jones has a rare genetic syndrome, ectrodactyly ectodermal dysplasia, but does not directly link her injuries to it.
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