'I was top 10, I have more than $10 million. I’m not going to play for $50,000. It is not the reason'
Spanish World No 42 Nicolas Almagro defended his injury withdrawal from his match at the Australian Open on Monday, saying he had not turned up just for the $50,000 prize money that comes with a first-round exit.
Almagro threw in the towel with a calf injury at 4-0 down in the first set against France's Jeremy Chardy, but walked away with a Aus $50,000 ($37,400) cheque as a first-round loser.
The 31-year-old, a quarter-finalist at MelbournePark in 2013, cited his career earnings of more than $10 million as proof that his motivation was not the money.
"I went to court because I think I can play," he told reporters.
"I was top 10, I have more than $10 million. I’m not going to play for $50,000. It is not the reason."
Almagro said he had undergone an MRI scan on his injured calf last week but had not felt the injury in training in Melbourne so decided to play his opening match.
"I was trying to play during the week," he added.
"I considered (withdrawing) but I was practising, I didn't feel it during the week. I decided to play today.
“It was tough. I did an MRI and the result wasn't good. That's it. I couldn't play. I felt the problem again on court and I had to retire."
Image: Spain's Nicolas Almagro created controversy on Day 1 of the Australian Open after withdrawing from the match through injury
Photograph: Twitter