Hailey Baptiste, a 24-year-old American tennis player, has confirmed a serious injury sustained during her second-round match at the French Open against China's Wang Xiyu. After a fall that caused her knee to buckle, Baptiste was unable to walk off the court and had to be taken away in a wheelchair. The injury has been diagnosed as damage to her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus, necessitating surgery and a recovery period of at least six months. This setback poses a significant threat to her 2026 season, particularly after her recent triumphs, including a victory over world number one Aryna Sabalenka at the Madrid Open. Fellow American player Sloan Stephens expressed her sorrow, noting the painful timing of Baptiste's injury as she was experiencing the best form of her career and had just signed a contract with Nike. Baptiste was also set to compete in the doubles event alongside Venus Williams before the injury occurred.