Hailey Baptiste’s French Open Journey Cut Short by Injury
Hailey Baptiste’s hopes at the French Open came to a sudden halt due to a serious injury during her second match in Paris. This was her first time competing as a seeded player at Roland Garros, and she entered the tournament with a strong spirit after her impressive win against two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova in the opening round.
In her second-round match against qualifier Wang Xinyu, Baptiste was trailing 4-5 in the first set when disaster struck. While chasing a return, she lost her balance and stumbled awkwardly on the clay surface.
Caught in visible pain, Baptiste immediately grabbed her left knee, causing concern among onlookers, including her father, who rushed to her side. Medical staff quickly assessed the situation, but Baptiste was unable to continue the match. With tears in her eyes, she left the court in a wheelchair.
While there hasn’t been an official update on her injury, the worrying nature of her fall raised concerns about a serious knee issue. This setback is particularly tough for Baptiste, as she’s been experiencing a remarkable phase in her career.
Just weeks before this incident, she achieved a major milestone by defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, which led her to her first WTA 1000 semifinal appearance in Madrid. That incredible run also boosted her ranking to a career-best No. 25 earlier this month.
Now, Baptiste faces an uncertain recovery timeline, with fears that she may require surgery.
Published On: May 28, 2026
