Bonzi Frustrated by His Withdrawal: "Never Been So Close to the Biggest Win of My Career"

Injured in the back, Benjamin Bonzi threw in the towel during the third round of the Madrid Masters 1000 against Taylor Fritz.

The Frenchman, who had won the first set, was unable to continue his efforts by the end of the second set as the pain became too severe, as he explained to *L’Équipe*:

"I was feeling really good, playing really well. At 4-4 in the second set, it felt like a sudden shock. I don’t know if it’s the obliques or something in my back. From that point on, it hurt with every movement.

I’m disappointed. I’ll have a clearer mindset once I know what it is—whether it’s nothing serious or something more annoying. As often happens in my career, when I’m playing really well, there’s always something small that comes up.

Today, I felt like I could hardly miss. I had the sense that nothing could go wrong for me. I was in control of the entire match. In three days, I’ll know more, and I’ll tell you it’s something positive to take away—this level of play and what I put into it. But it’s really frustrating! I think I’ve never been this close to the biggest win of my career."