Meghan Dizon Retires from Denver Open Due to Head Injury

The action and excitement of mixed doubles day on Friday was punctured by an unfortunate accident that resulted in Meghan Dizon pulling out of the women’s doubles draw on Saturday. 

Federico Staksrud and Dizon were partnered up for mixed doubles and had a successful day through the bracket that included wins over No. 12 seeds Lacy Schneemann/Collin Johns and No. 4 seeds Jessie Irvine/AJ Koller. They ultimately fell in the semifinals to AL Waters and Ben Johns and later returned to the court to play out the bronze medal match against Connor Garnett and Etta Wright.

During the first game of the bronze medal match, both Staksrud and Dizon set up for a midcourt putaway ball that flew high between the pair of them, with Staksrud swinging a forehand and Dizon swinging a backhand. Unfortunately, with Dizon in front and both players lunging to swing at the ball, Staksrud’s paddle ended up connecting with the back of Dizon’s head.

The pair ended up finishing the match and ultimately fell to Garnett/Wright 11-6, 11-13, 11-6, giving Garnett his first mixed medal and Wright her second, but upon breaking after the first game, Dizon noticed she had a noticeable bump on her head that wasn’t going down. 

 “I finished bronze but probably shouldn’t have,” Dizon noted the following day. “It was just a freak accident, and I wanted to do my best to finish the match since I knew it was the last match I had that day. But looking back, I probably should’ve called it right then.”

Upon finishing the match, Dizon was taken to a medical center and received care for the injury. She was diagnosed with a concussion to the head. Care providers did not feel that they could safely give her consent to return to play the following day, which led to Dizon withdrawing from the women’s doubles competition on Saturday, where she was set to play with Irina Tereschenko.

“I’ve had multiple head injuries in the past, and I want to play it extra safe,” said Dizon. “The doctor said they didn’t recommend I play, so I’m listening to them and getting some rest.”

Dizon spoke to tournament officials on-site after the incident happened, telling them it was a disappointing outcome as she was playing very well and feeling good about her game, but that she was not in a condition to continue playing.

Federico also spoke out about the incident, citing it as an outcome that no one ever wants to see in sports.  

“I want to apologize to Meghan. It was never my intention to hit her, and I feel terrible about what happened. I wish her a quick recovery and hope that she will feel better soon.”

Men’s and women’s doubles continue in Denver today, with all five finals to follow on Sunday. Watch here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSP6HlrMmRqogym2aHBPHpw