The new season gives a feeling of a fresh start, but not all WTA players can leave their injury woes in the past and start 2020 without health concerns. Only today have we officially entered the new year and several big-name players have already announced that we won’t see them at tournaments in early January.
Reigning US Open champion Bianca Andreescu has withdrawn from the ASB Classic due to a lingering left knee injury. The Canadian was a finalist at the tournament in Auckland last year, but will not make the trip to New Zealand this time, still nurturing the injury she sustained during the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen in late October 2019. The world No.5 has entered the Australian Open which starts on January 20th.
Venus Williams had been given a wildcard for the Brisbane International, but “an unexpected setback” during her training has forced her to withdraw from the January 6th-12th Premier-level tournament in Australia. The American still plans to play the the Adelaide International from January 13th.
Monica Puig is still licking the wounds from her right elbow surgery. Five days ago the Puerto Rican removed the stitches, but she’ll not be ready for competition soon and will miss the Australian Open.
Vera Zvonareva, two-time singles semifinalist and 2012 women’s doubles champion at the Australian Open, has withdrawn from the Grand Slam due to a left wrist injury.
All this is bad news, but it’s nothing too unexpected, as every year we have a certain number of withdrawals early on.
