The French Open seeds have been collapsing left and right, with Hailey Baptiste being one of the victims. The American was forced to abandon her second-round match midway through after she suffered a freak injury in the final moments of the first set.
Now, a day after the incident, former World No. 1 and tennis commentator Jim Courier has revealed the unfortunate severity of Baptiste’s injury.
Hailey Baptiste Headed for a Prolonged Injury Layoff After French Open
Baptiste was primed to make a deep run at this year’s French Open given her form leading up to the tournament. The 24-year-old had secured a thrilling win against World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka just weeks ago in Madrid and was looking to carry the momentum in Paris while defending her fourth-round appearance from last year.
She started positively, beating former champion Barbora Krejčíková 6-7(7), 7-6(6), 6-2 in the opener after saving a couple of match points. Stars didn’t align for Baptiste, though. Her campaign was cut short when she tried to keep herself alive in the first set of her second match against Wang Xiyu. While hitting a jumping forehand shot at 5-4 (0-40), the American landed awkwardly on her left leg and immediately dropped to the ground, squirming in pain.
Surrounded by her father, the chair umpire, and the French Open medical staff, she was then escorted out of the court in a wheelchair. An update has now emerged, detailing the injury Baptiste has suffered.
According to Jim Courier, the American is headed for surgery after an ACL injury and meniscus issues, which would push her to the sidelines for at least six months. The update means that Baptiste’s 2026 season is effectively over.
Jim Courier says on TNT that news of Baptiste’s injury, which comes from agent Jill Smoller, is not good.
“News from Jill Smoller was not good. ACL, Meniscus issues, surgery is incoming soon and we’re hearing six months, minimum, off tour.”
— Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) May 28, 2026
“News from Jill Smoller (Hailey Baptiste’s agent) was not good. ACL, meniscus issues; surgery is incoming soon, and we’re hearing six months, minimum, off tour,” Courier said on the TNT Sports broadcast.
Baptiste’s retirement also means that Venus Williams is out of the French Open. The American legend was scheduled to contest the women’s doubles category alongside Hailey, but the team has now been eliminated from the draw.
Baptiste, herself, has yet to comment on the injury, but the American received overwhelming support and well wishes from fans and peers after the incident.
