Setback in California – Stricker has to retire with back injury – Sport

Two and a half weeks before the start of the Swiss Indoors in Basel, Dominic Stricker’s health is once again slowing him down. In the first round game of the ATP Challenger tournament in Tiburon, California, the 22-year-old from Bern led local JJ Wolf 5:3 in the first set before leaving the court in tears.

The reason for the abandonment is a recent back injury. It is not known whether and for how long Stricker could be out. It was only on Tuesday that the Swiss player was given a wildcard for the home appearance in the St. Jakobshalle.

A vicious circle for almost a year

In the first half of the year, the junior champion of the 2020 French Open was forced to take a long break due to long-term back problems. At the beginning of June he finally returned to the courts for matches.

Since his comeback, Stricker has not broken any ropes. He, who was number 88 in the world in 2023, fell in the ranking to position 328. On the ATP tour this season he has a match record of 1:4.