Arthur Rinderknech hurts foot kicking signage at French Open

PARIS -- France's Arthur Rinderknech was forced to retire from his second-round match at the French Open after injuring his left foot kicking an advertising hoarding.

Rinderknech, who is ranked No. 69 in the world, was playing Tomas Martin Etcheverry in a late-night match on Court 7 at Roland Garros on Thursday. In front of vocal local support, Rinderknech found himself 2-1 up in sets but suffered a meltdown in the fourth set.

Despite Rinderknech holding the overall advantage in the match, frustration got the better of him at 2-0 down in the fourth and he kicked out at an advertising hoarding, injuring himself in the process.

Two games later at the changeover, Rinderknech required medical attention, and just a game later, at 5-0 down in the fourth set, he was forced to retire. That saw Etcheverry take the match 3-6, 6-7 (8), 6-1, 5-0 as a walkover and progress to the third round.

"I feel very good physically, but I just messed up." Rinderknech told French newspaper L'Equipe. "I kicked into the wall, a little annoyed, at 2-0 when I got broken in the fourth set. I don't really know at the moment, but I hope I didn't break my toe. Afterwards, I could no longer put my foot on the ground."

Reports in L'Equipe on Friday said Rinderknech did not break his toe but has cartilage damage.