Prague (Czech Republic) – The back pain that caused Jiri Lehecka to miss the start of the season on clay and only start playing in Madrid, where he defeated Spaniard Rafael Nadal and advanced to the semi-finals to record the best campaign of his career in Masters 1000, ended up taking away his Czech action also from the Masters 1000 in Rome.
According to the Czech website Isport.cz, a fatigue fracture of the vertebra is suspected. “We are both very sorry. It’s difficult after everything that happened there (in Madrid),” said Michal Navratil, Lehecka’s coach. “As the load increased, the problems got worse and when he gave up he was already suffering,” added the Czech’s coach.
The 22-year-old tennis player equaled his personal record in this Monday’s ranking, reaching 23rd place. He is now awaiting an examination in Prague to determine how serious the situation really is. Lehecka withdrew from Rome and hopes to be recovered in time to compete at Roland Garros, but his participation in the French tournament has become doubtful.
“Roland Garros is a big question mark and Wimbledon is coming. This is the worst possible time to get hurt. We are all very depressed about this. Jiri is a young and well-built boy, treatment can be accelerated. But the main thing is that it is done properly, so that the injury does not return,” noted Navratil.
