Brave injured Aussie receives heartwarming ovation
Anastasia Rodionova has received a heartwarming ovation from the crowd after a brave attempt to play on despite an injury that left her inconsolable during the third round of the Australian Open women's doubles on Sunday.
The 35-year-old and Ukraine's Nadiia Kichenok trailed 1-4 in the first set against Romanian 10th seeds Irina-Camelia Begu and Monica Niculescu on Margaret Court Arena when they were forced to call it a day.
Rodionova suffered a calf injury in her service game and was inconsolable as she took a medical timeout to remedy the situation.
After attempting to get back out on court, the Aussie veteran felt the muscle pull again during a service motion and broke down in tears once more.
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The crowd broke out into an ovation to applaud her brave attempt to continue the match.
Kichenok helped her to the net as the understanding opponents discussed the injury with a heartbroken Rodionova.
"It's tough. It's a grand slam and you always want to play good," Begu said in the on-court interview.
"I feel sorry for (Rodionova) and I hope she recovers soon."
Despite the pain and the tears she remarkably eschewed a wheelchair to walk off the court -- with assistance -- to more cheers from the crowd.
Rodionova appears unlikely to take the court with Austria's Oliver Marach in the mixed doubles.
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