Clara Tauson's first singles match in more than a month and a half was cut short when back problems continued to frustrate the Dane, who on Thursday had to retire in the second set against Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova in the WTA 1000 tournament in the Italian capital, Rome.
The match was the first time since 20 March that Tauson was in action after she retired against Katie Boulter in Miami, and in Thursday's comeback, she was also unable to complete the match.
Trailing 1-3 in the second set, Tauson withdrew from the match against Oliynykova, who had previously won the first set 6-1.
Before the comeback, the Dane had told TV 2 Sport that she had been suffering from back problems for more than half a year. And she didn't seem to have gotten rid of them. Before the Dane retired, she received treatment exactly on her back from a physiotherapist.
The 23-year-old Dane played a doubles match two weeks ago in Madrid, only to withdraw from her singles match afterwards. It has now been two months since Tauson completed a singles match.
In the match against Oleksandra Oliynykova, Tauson was far from the form she produced last season.
The Dane started the match well enough by breaking the Ukrainian in the first game of the match, but then Oliynykova turned the tide in her favour.
The Ukrainian clay specialist played unorthodox, and the Dane had a hard time dealing with that. Oliynykova remained at the back line and played really patiently against the Dane, who could not punish her.
It was clear that Tauson lacked power and precision and had difficulty deciding the rallies. At the same time, Oliynykova looked sharp, and after just half an hour she secured the first set by winning six successive games.
Shortly after receiving treatment from a physical therapist who treated the back that has plagued Tauson for the past six months, the Dane retired.