TORONTO — Bianca Andreescu mentioned on Thursday she is not going to defend her title on the U.S. Open in New York because the COVID-19 pandemic has compromised her means to achieve her highest degree of type.
The 20-year-old Canadian, who has not competed since she suffered a knee harm final October on the WTA Finals in Shenzhen, joins a rising record of high-profile gamers to drag out of the Aug. 31-Sept. 13 occasion.
“After many discussions with these closest to me, I’ve made the troublesome determination to not return to New York this 12 months,” mentioned Andreescu, who beat Serena Williams final 12 months to develop into Canada’s first tennis Grand Slam singles champion.
“I’ve taken this step in an effort to concentrate on my match health and be sure that I return able to play at my highest degree.”
World No. 6 Andreescu is the most recent top-10 participant on the ladies’s facet to skip the U.S. Open, becoming a member of Australian Ash Barty (one), Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina (5) and Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens (seven).
Her determination additionally means the Grand Slam will probably be lacking each reigning singles champions as males’s world No. 2 Rafael Nadal beforehand mentioned he would skip the occasion.
“The U.S. Open victory final 12 months has been the excessive level of my profession this far and I’ll miss not being there,” mentioned Andreescu.
“Nevertheless, I understand that the unexpected challenges, together with the COVID pandemic, have compromised my means to organize and compete to the diploma essential to play at my highest degree.”
America Tennis Affiliation determined to go forward with the Grand Slam with out spectators whereas gamers will probably be requested to comply with strict measures, together with common testing, in a bid to keep away from unfold of the virus.
“I need to categorical my appreciation to the USTA and the WTA for all of their efforts in making the occasion occur,” mentioned Andreescu. “I sit up for becoming a member of my opponents again on courtroom quickly.”