Tennis-Swiatek 'plays it safe' with Rome retirement ahead of French Open defence

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 17, 2023 Poland's Iga Swiatek reacts during her quarter final match against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel

(Reuters) - Iga Swiatek said she was taking no chances with her fitness ahead of her French Open title defence later this month after the world number one retired from her Italian Open quarter-final due to a thigh issue.

Top seed and two-time defending champion in Rome, Swiatek was tied 2-2 with Elena Rybakina in the deciding set on Wednesday when she decided she could not continue.