Britain’s Sonay Kartal was forced to retire from her fourth-round match at the Indian Wells Open against world number three Elena Rybakina on Wednesday (March 11), calling it one match too many as a persistent lower back injury flared up. 

After losing the first set 6-4 and struggling through the second while trailing 4-3, Kartal could no longer continue and headed to the net to shake hands.

The 24-year-old had battled the issue throughout the tournament but said the pain worsened as the match went on, making it impossible to perform at her best against a top opponent. Ranked 54th, Kartal had already made history as the first British woman to reach the fourth round at Indian Wells twice, proving her strength even in defeat.