Alexander Blockx suddenly withdraws from Roland Garros after freak accident during practice: 'Heard a snap in my ankle'

World No. 37 Alexander Blockx announced his withdrawal on Tuesday less than 24 hours before he was due to face eighth seed Alex de Minaur on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. 

Blockx initially wrote on his Instagram before changing the caption that he sprained his ankle due to the "really necessary" covers at the back of the court at Roland Garros and that he was frustrated but then soon changed it shortly afterward.

So a bit of a freak accident for Blockx, who said he felt a snap in his ankle and was later seen hobbling around on one leg after spraining his ankle during practice, in what is a crushing blow for one of the real breakout stars of the past month.

Blockx quickly changes caption amid blaming covers

Blockx reached the semifinals in Madrid and the last 16 of Monte-Carlo, where he lost to De Minaur. He beat Coleman Wong in his opening match and now has to deal with not being able to fulfill his clay court potential this season and potentially a stint on the sidelines. This is an incident that no doubt Roland Garros has to learn from, as one of the top stars has managed to hurt himself in what could have been quite a preventative measure.

Roland Garros announced that Blockx had withdrawn on Tuesday: “Alexander Blockx has withdrawn from his second round match, Alex de Minaur is therefore through to the third round. Wishing you a speedy recovery Alex.”

This was later confirmed by Blockx, who spoke about the freak accident that saw him withdraw. 

“Unfortunately during today’s practice I heard a snap in my ankle while i sprained it, which is why i had to withdraw from tomorrow’s match that I was really looking forward to. A lot of frustration but we move on,” Blockx wrote on Instagram hours after it was announced.

De Minaur who directly benefited showed his class though and wrote: “So sorry to hear mate. Wishing a very speedy recovery.”