BUCHAREST (ROMANIA) – Romania’s World number two Simona Halep said on Monday she has dropped her plan to travel to New York to play in the US Open because of concerns about the pandemic spread. This leaves the women’s draw at the Grand Slam event without six of the world’s top-10 players.
The event at Flushing Meadows will not be attended by world number one Ash Barty, defending champion Bianca Andreescu, Elina Svitolina, Kiki Bertens and Belinda Bencic.
“After weighing up all the factors involved and with the exceptional circumstances in which we are living, I have decided that I will not travel to New York to play the US Open,” the Wimbledon champion Tweeted.
“I always said I would put my health at the heart of my decision and I therefore prefer to stay and train in Europe. I know the USTA and WTA have worked tirelessly to put on a safe event and I wish everyone there a successful tournament.”
During the weekend, the 28-year-old won the Prague Open, which is her first event since the pandemic shut down tennis matches in March.
The US Open is slated to begin on Aug. 31 behind closed doors.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field