Aussie Isabella Nichols forced out of Fiji Pro final with ‘debilitating’ ankle injury: ‘Hard to watch’

Australian surfer Isabella Nichols has pulled out of the Fiji Pro final because of her ankle injury, handing the win to Canadian Erin Brooks.

Nichols could barely put weight on her left ankle after wiping out near the end of the semi-final win over Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Isabella Nichols forced out of Fiji Pro final with ankle injury

Australian commentator Felicity Palmateer said it was “hard to watch” with Nichols’ pain clear for all to see.

“I felt a really sharp pain shoot from my ankle all the way to my hip,” Nichols said on Wednesday.

“It felt debilitating — ‘I can’t stand up’ — it probably felt like one of the worst injuries I’ve done. I feel like I’ve definitely done something to it.”

And Nichols confirmed on Thursday, the day after the injury, that she has a high ankle sprain and some ligament damage.

“It was unfortunate — I mean, I’m so stoked and I’m so stoked for Erin, a big congrats to her,” Nichols said.

“It’s just going to have to be one of those things that I play by ear. I can barely even stand on it at the moment.

“To surf a heat out there, especially with the size of the waves right now, I just feel like it’s not a smart move for me — especially if I want to be back and strong for the next few events.

“It’s all looking still very up in the air for me ... back home for some much-needed rest.”

While the end was anti-climactic, it was still a banner event for Nichols and Brooks. The Canadian improved three places to eighth in the women’s rankings and Nichols moved up one place to ninth.

Nichols, 29, enjoyed her best result this season and Brooks, 19, backed up from her win in the previous round at Tahiti.

“I feel like she was the most dominant surfer this whole week,” Nichols said.