"I'm not too sure actually what happened"
Thursday 4 January 2018 11:13, UK
British No 1 Johanna Konta had to retire hurt during her Brisbane International quarter-final against Elina Svitolina.
With Svitolina leading 1-6 7-6 (8-6) 3-2, Konta announced she would have to withdraw due to a problem with her right hip, having received treatment two games earlier.
Konta had looked in fantastic form earlier on, dominating the first set after saving four early break points.
But Svitolina recovered and the Ukrainian won a very closely contested second set.
The world No 6 will now advance to a semi-final against defending champion Karolina Pliskova or Kaia Kanepi, while Konta will try to get fit in time for the Australian Open, which starts on January 15.
It was the first time Konta had reached a quarter-final since August after a tough period at the end of last year but she had looked back to her best this week.
She was involved in a very tight contest against Svitolina before having to withdraw after two hours and 12 minutes.
Konta is due to defend her Sydney International title next week but is unsure whether she will take part.
"I need to wait until tomorrow morning [before deciding]," she said.
"I don't feel comfortable going on gut feeling, especially to do with stuff like this. The most important thing is to listen to my body, listen to how I'm feeling in the morning, and really taking it kind of step by step."
Konta said that she felt something give in her first service game of the third set.
"I'm not too sure actually what happened," said Konta.
"I have never had issues in this area. More on the left side and not for a few years. And it was different. Hips take a massive beating.
"Obviously, our game is becoming more and more physical and the demands of the tour as well, week in and week out, are becoming more demanding, just because of the level of play match in and match out.
"So I think hips definitely take a beating, but so do knees, so do shoulders, so do ankles, wrists. Take your pick. Back, lower back. And everything in between."
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