Andreescu joins list of US Open withdrawals

It's been nearly a year since Bianca Andreescu claimed her first Grand Slam title under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium. On Thursday, the Canadian announced she won't be returning to defend her trophy in New York later this month.

"After many discussions with those closest to me, I have made the difficult decision not to return to New York this year," Andreescu wrote.

Her news follows Rafael Nadal's decision to not play, meaning that both men's and women's defending singles champions will not be taking the court in Flushing Meadows. The last time the US Open was without its defending champions was nearly two decades ago in 2003 when Pete Sampras was unofficially retired and Serena Williams was injured.

After Serena overcame her sister Venus to reach the quarterfinals of Lexington, she was asked about Andreescu's decision:

"It's no secret that I really like her as a person and as a player, I just think she's so mature and so cool," Serena said. "She'll come back. She'll do well when she's ready. She's smart enough to play not injured."

While Serena is entered in New York, Andreescu joins a long list of withdrawals including Top-10 names Ashleigh Barty, Elina Svitolina and Kiki Bertens.

"The US Open victory last year has been the high point of my career thus far and I will miss not being there," Andreescu said."However, I realize that the unforeseen challenges, including the Covid pandemic, have compromised my ability to prepare and compete to the degree necessary to play at my highest level."

Andreescu hasn't competed in a tour-level match since October in Shenzhen at the WTA Finals. She would retire from her second round-robin clash against Karolina Pliskova due to a left knee injury. The same injury would  force her to withdraw from the Australian Open and Indian Wells.

The 20-year-old pointed out that due to the on-going pandemic she has not been able to prepare to her fullest capability and will be taking the time to focus on her health and fitness. Her next planned tournament has not been announced.