Dinara Safina’s 2009 tennis season ground to a halt on Wednesday at the Sony Ericsson Championships.
The reigning world number one retired from her opening round robin match against Jelena Jankovic because of a back injury.
Safina’s decision to withdraw from the tournament has resulted in first alternate Vera Zvonareva’s entrance into the singles draw—and assures Serena Williams of capturing the season-ending number one ranking.
Safina’s injury is not a new problem, rather an ongoing ailment first sustained three months ago.
“I did everything possible to play here,” admitted Safina after the match. “I went yesterday to put injections, cortisone, but I could not handle anymore this pain.”
While Safina will have the off-season to recover, she is concerned that she might not be fit in time for the 2010 season’s opening major tournament. Her doctors have encouraged her to take at least six weeks of rest.
“It’s possible that I might even not be hundred percent fit for the Australian,” admitted Safina. “Maybe I’ll have to skip it.”
Today’s match closes a memorable year for the Russian, who despite the controversy surrounding the No. 1 ranking and her failure to win a major, still considers it the best of her career.
“Definitely I had my best year so far,” added Safina. “I can be proud of myself.”
I hope she’ll get better in time for the AO or not what matters is only her health at this point !
It was heartbreaking to see her sobbing like that today and i can’t believe this is the last image i’ll get of her until 2010 .
I couldn’t care less about what happens in Doha now , the season is over for me ! As a Dinara supporter it was both an awesome ( for her results ) and awful ( for everything that surrounded her…) year ! Congrats Dina and get better !
I’m with you, I also wish Dinara to get well in 2010 and show everyone her talent. This year has been very tough for her. I am disgusted at Serena Williams and media for putting down Dinara’s accomplishments . She’s been this year’s real no.1 as she has been the most consistent player. Hopefully she’ll get it together soon. Time for a rest.
Shame on Safina that she didn’t withdraw BEFORE her first match, because now Vera has to start at 0:1 down!
Seriously you’re being ridiculous here , Shame on Dinara for trying until it was too **** much after two games or two sets ! You should be glad you have a chance to see Vera playing when she wasn’t qualified !
Dinara should have quit when the doctor told her to. She could have hurt herself worse. Maybe she didn’t want to take a page out of Wozniacki book, and quit and have people saying she did so to hedge the bets of the Jelena. I like tennis, I like Dinara and I hope she rest well, mentally and psychially and come on back.