French Open star calls out his own 'stupidity' as he retires injured after hurting himself
Arthur Rinderknech retired from his French Open match after injuring himself.
Arthur Rinderknech admitted to showing “stupidity” during his second-round match at the French Open. The world No. 69 retired injured in the fourth set against Tomas Etcheverry on Thursday.
In a moment of frustration, Rinderknech kicked an advertising board at the side of the court and hurt himself.
He called the physio but ultimately forfeited the match while facing a set point and 28th seed Etcheverry advanced 3-6 6-7(8) 6-1 5-0. Rinderknech has now addressed his actions.
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“Frustration leads to the stupidity... Ridicule is often indignity of mind,” the Frenchman wrote on Instagram on Saturday. “Thank you all for your many kind messages. Thank you to the French audience, you are fabulous.”
Rinderknech said he would learn from his mistakes, adding: “Yesterday’s episode will make me grow and I’m going to go even harder with those around me. Proud of what we’re doing!”
The 28-year-old withdrew from the men’s doubles draw in Paris on Friday morning. He was set to play alongside Portugal’s Nuno Borges. He also pulled out of the draw for next week’s Challenger in Surbiton, though it was not confirmed whether this was related to the foot injury he picked up during his match.
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Rinderknech was on the brink of causing an upset when he took a two-set lead over the No. 28 seed. But things quickly fell away and Etcheverry raced through the third set 6-1.
After getting broken early in the fourth, the French player stormed up to the side of the court and kicked out with his left foot. But he quickly realised what he had done, bending over to tend to his foot. He called the physio and received a medical time out while trailing 0-5.
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The world No. 69 opted to play on but couldn’t continue for much longer and retired when his opponent had a set point. He later shared his concerns that his toe could be broken. “I feel very good physically but I just messed up,” he told L’Equipe.
“I shot into the wall, a little annoyance, at 2-0, when I got broken in the fourth and I don't really know, at the moment. But I hope I didn't break my toe. Afterwards, I couldn’t put my foot on the ground anymore…”
