Slam champion announces withdrawal from Australian Open
The Australian Open will be without at least one active former Slam champion as a top WTA talent opts to skip the first Slam of the year.
Bianca Andreescu has had a tough time on tour since her breakthrough triumph in winning the 2019 US Open.
After making her debut at the WTA Finals in 2019, the young Canadian did not play at all in 2020 due to injury before returning at the 2021 Australian Open.
Now, the 21-year-old has decided to forego the 2022 Major in Melbourne, citing the need to reset and recover from a difficult 2021 season both physically and mentally.
“As you all know, the past two years have been very challenging for me for a variety of reasons,” Andreescu said in a statement on Twitter.
“A lot of days [in 2021] I did not feel like myself, especially while I was training and/or playing matches.
“I felt like I was carrying the whole world on my shoulders. I could not detach myself from everything that was going on off the court.”
Andreescu played just 29 matches in 2021, claiming 17 wins to 12 losses in that time.
Her final tour appearance of the year came at Indian Wells, losing to Anett Kontaveit in the third round there. She is currently ranked 46th in the world.
— Bianca (@Bandreescu_) December 6, 2021
“i want to give myself extra time to reset, recover and grow from this,” the statement continues.
“I will therefore not start my season in Australia this year, but will take some additional time to reflect, train, and be ready for the upcoming 2022 tennis season.”
🎾 Read >> Breaking tennis news
🎾 Follow >> 24/7 LIVE scores
🎾 Free >> Receive our legendary newsletter
🎾 Join >> Tennishead CLUB, the world’s only virtual tennis club
🎾 Social >> Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube
🎾 Order >> World’s best tennis magazine
🎾 Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted retail partner