Palmetto Pro Open final scuttled
No. 2 seed Lim retires with muscle problems in back before match
The tennis enthusiasts that gathered around the stadium court at Palmetto Tennis Center on Sunday for the final of the Palmetto Pro Open went away disappointed after the match was decided when No. 2-seed Aliza Lim retured after a brief warmup.
Top-seeded Taylor Townsend became the winner of the $25,000 USTA Pro Circuit tournament when Lim was unable to take the court because of muscle fatigue and tightness in her back.
Lim said she tried to make a go of it, but that it wouldn't have looked like a professional tennis match if she had tried to play.
"I'm really disappointed for myself, but also for everyone at the tournament," Lim said. "It's not a great feeling pulling out of a final in a tournament, but I really couldn't stay out there. It would have been unprofessional, and it would have looked bad for everyone."
Lim said she had mixed feelings about the situation but that it was the right thing to do for her.
"Yes, I'm disappointed, but in a few days I'll look back on the positives from this week.
"I had some really tough matches," said Lim, who played three 3-set matches in blistering heat to make the final. "I had some crazy moments out there. I hadn't played tournaments in a while, and that's what I want to remember."