French Open: Kevin Anderson is the sixth player forced out of tournament due to injury

Shannon Scovel
South African tennis player Kevin Anderson receives treatment and support for an injury in the third round of the French Open. Injuries ultimately forced Anderson to resign from the tournament one match later. (Getty Images)
South African tennis player Kevin Anderson receives treatment and support for an injury in the third round of the French Open. Injuries ultimately forced Anderson to resign from the tournament one match later. (Getty Images)

In a tournament that has seen injuries impact several top players already, South Africa’s Kevin Anderson became the sixth and latest athlete to retire in the 2017 French Open.

Anderson, who entered the tournament unseeded, was down two sets to Croatian Marin Cilic when an injury to his left thigh forced him to pull out of the match. His withdrawal moved Cilic into the quarterfinals of Roland Garros for the first time in his career.

Despite the injury, Anderson managed an impressive run in the French Open, particularly for an unseeded player. Anderson advanced to the Round of 16 after upsetting No. 18 Nick Kyrgios, prompting Kyrgios to smash his racquet against the court in anger. He then prevailed in a marathon five-set match with Britain’s Kyle Edmund to earn the chance to play in the fourth round, but, in the end, the pain in his thigh proved too much for Anderson.

Cilic, seeded No. 7 in the tournament, will now face No. 3 Stan Wawrinka next and will be looking for his first Grand Slam title since the 2014 US Open.