(Reuters) – Spain’s Garbine Muguruza is doubtful for the U.S. Open due to an ankle problem which forced her to withdraw from this week’s Western and Southern Open, the two-times Grand Slam singles champion said on Tuesday.
The women’s draw at the Open, which will be played in a bio-secure bubble in New York due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, has already lost six of the world’s top 10 players, who have withdrawn due to various issues.
World number two Simona Halep has joined top-ranked Ash Barty, defending champion Bianca Andreescu, Elina Svitolina, Kiki Bertens and Belinda Bencic in skipping the event at Flushing Meadows.
Former world number one Muguruza, who reached the Australian Open final in Melbourne this year, said she hoped she could still recover in time to participate in the Grand Slam.
“Following the recommendation of my medical team, I have decided to withdraw from the Western and Southern Open due to discomfort in my left ankle,” Muguruza said on Twitter.
“I really want to get back on Tour, and do it in New York. I know that the WTA and USTA are making a great effort to make it possible for us to play and I will work hard so that I can be there in a few days.”
The Spaniard, a former French Open and Wimbledon champion, is currently ranked 16th in the world.
The main draw matches of the Western and Southern Open, which is held annually in Cincinnati but has been moved to New York this year due to the pandemic, will start on Saturday.
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
