The hits keep on coming for the US Open.
Two-time finalist Victoria Azarenka of Belarus pulled out of the tournament on Monday, citing an “ongoing family situation.”
Azarenka reached the US Open final in 2012 and ’13.
“I am sadly unable to compete in this year’s US Open due to my ongoing family situation that I am working through,” she said. “While I will dearly miss being in New York and playing in one of my favorite tournaments where I have enjoyed some of the best moments in my career, I am already looking forward to being back next year.”
Misa Eguchi, of Japan, moves into the main draw.
Azarenka earlier cited a custody issue with the father of her child, Billy McKeague, who, according to TMZ, “hit her with court docs in L.A. The judge has ruled Azarenka can not take her kid out of the state until the trial is over.”
Azarenka joins Serena Williams (pregnant) as key absences on the women’s side of the draw, while three Top 10 men’s players will also miss the year’s final Grand Slam event because of injury: Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori.
The US Open begins on Aug. 28.
Photo: Getty Images
