Kristian Karlsson was in noticeable pain in his left arm as he won a thrilling 4-3 set against Finn Alex Naumi in the second round of the singles tournament at the European Championships in Slovenia.
It may look awful, but I’m really in as much pain as it looks like I am, says left-handed Karlsson.
Earlier in the day, he had lost a mixed doubles semifinal with Stina Källberg, then won a men’s doubles quarterfinal with Anton Källberg.
“Two huge discharges and it’s probably my ninth match here now. Anyone who has had tennis elbow knows how painful it is in those situations. Mentally, it’s very difficult,” says the 35-year-old.
The question is whether he can play the doubles semifinals on Friday morning.
If I’m in this much pain, I don’t think it’s worth playing.
Karlsson says he will try to treat the injury and take painkillers.
“I’m going to have so much painkiller in me that it could kill a small elephant,” he says.
Later on Friday, the Swede will play in the singles round of 16. Karlsson will be joined there by three other Swedish men’s players.
Anton Källberg beat Romanian Iulian Chirita 4-2 in the second round, while world number four Truls Möregårdh cruised to a 4-0 win over German André Bertelsmeier. Elias Ranefur put in a strong performance, beating Russian Yevgenij Tichonov 4-3.
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