US Reigning champ Bianca pulls out

New York, Aug. 14: Novak Djokovic boosted the US Open by saying on Thursday that he will play in the Grand Slam tennis event while reigning women’s champion Bianca Andreescu joined a host of notable no-shows.

“After many discussions with those closest to me, I have made the difficult decision not to return to New York this year,” Andreescu said in a statement.

“I have taken this step in order to focus on my match fitness and ensure that I return ready to play at my highest level.”Andreescu defeated Serena Williams 6-3, 7-5 in last year’s US Open final.

“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 unforseen challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, have compromised my ability to prepare and compete to the degree necessary to play at my highest level,” she added.

Top-ranked Djokovic, a 17-time Slam singles champion, ended speculation by saying he would travel to New York on Saturday and play a tuneup event inside a Covid-19 quarantine bubble on the Flushing Meadows grounds ahead of the US Open start on August 31.

“It was not an easy decision to make with all the obstacles and challenges on many sides,” three-time US Open winner Djokovic said.

“But the prospect of competing again makes me really excited,” he added.

The 33-year-old Serbian will be the only member of the “Big Three” at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with reigning champion Rafael Nadal — a four-time winner — deciding already not to defend his 2019 title and five-time champion Roger Federer out with a knee injury. — AFP