LIMERICK’s Conor Niland had his US Open Tennis dreams dashed on Tuesday night as he was forced to retire during his glamour tie with World number one Novak Djokovic.
Niland, who qualified for his second Grand Slam of the year, (his first being Wimbledon earlier this summer) was paired with the World’s best player on one of the World’s most famous courts, the Arthur Ash Court at Flushing Meadows in New York.
Reports surfaced however, just before Niland went on court, that the Ireland number one had contracted some form of food poisoning.
Limerick and Ireland’s tennis fans’ worst fears were then realised 44 minutes into the match, when Niland had to retire, having received medical attention during breaks in play.
At the time, Djokovic had taken a 6-0, 5-1 lead, but Niland was so ill, he could not continue.
A defeat would have been hard enough to take for Conor Niland, but to have to retire through illness will be an even harder pill to swallow.
The match, had it run it’s course, would have served as a massive experience for Niland. It is not every day that you get to play the World’s best in the US Open.
Niland had tweeted earlier on the week, (@conorniland1) “Thanks for all the messages everyone and I cannot wait to play main draw of the US Open next week! I’ll be wearing a green shirt”.
After the loss, Tennis Ireland had this to say to the thousands of well wishers, “Tennis Ireland acknowledges all the messages of support for Conor Niland @conorniland1 received overnight from the Irish tennis community”.
The passion shown by Niland to play the game even though he was visibly ill, is something to be admired. The Irish tennis star is now expected to return to Ireland once his illness has cleared.
I am sure the Limerick public will make him feel well again.
