China's Zheng Qinwen's French Open dream came to a screeching halt as she suffered with menstrual cramps during the French Open women's singles match against World no.1 Iga Swiatek . Despite claiming the opener in a tiebreak, Swiatek got hold of the match to win 6-7(5) 6-0 6-2 for her 32nd straight victory.
Zheng said she had no pain during the opening set but took a medical time out at 3-0 down in the second, having her back massaged on court before going to the locker room and returning with her right thigh strapped.
The first set looked to be going with form as Swiatek raced out to a 5-2 lead, only for Zheng to come back to 5-5 before forcing a tie-break.
Again, Swiatek took a 5-2 lead, but Zheng stormed back with five straight points to claim the first set.
"Yeah, the leg was also tough. That compared to the stomach was easy... I cannot play my tennis, (my) stomach was too painful," Zheng, ranked 74 in the world, told reporters.
"It's just girls things, you know. The first day is always so tough and then I have to do sport and I always have so much pain in the first day. And I couldn't go against my nature.
"I wish I can be a man on court, but I cannot in that moment... I really wish I can be (a) man (so) that I don't have to suffer from this."
Zheng, who made her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open this year, said she had tried her best to compete but was happy she had progressed to the second week.
"If I don't talk about today, I'm happy with my performance (on) this run. And to play against the number one in the world, I felt I really enjoyed (it) on the court," she added.
"If I don't have my stomach (pain) I think I could enjoy more, like to run better and to hit harder, to give more effort on court. It's a pity that I couldn't give what I want to give today.
"I just want (it so that) next time I play against her, I (am in) perfect shape," the 19-year-old signed off.
