US Open: Daria Saville loses plot and first round match, questions future in the game

Australian Daria Saville is questioning her future in tennis after her game and composure disintegrated in a first round US Open loss.

Daria Saville’s first round loss was marred by a smashed racquet meltdown. Picture: Al Bello/Getty Images

Hobbled Daria Saville’s spectacular US Open blow-up could be the final act of her tennis career.

She told reporters in the US after her 6-3, 4-6, 7-6, (10-6) loss to Ena Shibahara that she was thinking “Do I even want to do this anymore?”

Battling a plantar fasciitis issue, Saville smashed her racquet five times into the Flushing Meadows court after double faulting on match point to hand victory to the Japanese qualifier.

Saville had broken back into the top 100 of the world rankings this year after overcoming knee and achilles issues, yet further injury issues have brought her to the crossroads. It follows her first-round loss at Wimbledon where she led 6-2, 5-1 before crumbling against Marta Kostyuk.

“Mentally, it was tough because I felt that at some point, I felt that I didn’t even deserve it, because I didn’t put in the work. It is just a cycle,” she said.

“I have had it before when I was playing injured and it is just a horrible cycle.

“I’m really negative right now. I don’t know how I will feel tomorrow and probably I won’t feel that way in a few days, but it is not fun playing injured.”

Earlier Saville had gamely fought back from losing the first set to lead 2-0, 30-0 in the decider.

But as her frustration grew across a marathon final set both her game and focus unravelled.

Saville will drop to No. 97 in the world rankings after the loss. She will need to grind it on the tour to stay in the top 100 and receive direct qualification into the Australian Open.

She candidly told media that the $150,000 prize money on offer for playing the first round match was her only incentive to be there.

“That is the truth. Where else will I make money? I lose money anywhere else if I bring a coach,” she said.

Originally published as US Open: Daria Saville loses plot and first round match, questions future in the game