The US Open is drawing ever closer with players looking to be in the best physical condition ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year.
The Cincinnati Open is the current tournament hosting the top ATP and WTA players, but Canadian Open champion Victoria Mboko has decided to skip the event.
Mboko is not the only big name missing the ATP/WTA 1000 tournament, as Novak Djokovic has also withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open.
Despite entering the Cincinnati Open, another WTA player has withdrawn mid-tournament, causing concern about her US Open participation.
Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty ImagesMarta Kostyuk confirms she will play the US Open after injury scare
World number 27 Marta Kostyuk made a hugely impressive start to her Cincinnati Open campaign, beating Queen’s champion Tatjana Maria, 6-0 6-1.
The Ukrainian was then set to play her next match against third seed Iga Swiatek, but she has now withdrawn ahead of the encounter.
Kostyuk retired from her Canadian Open quarterfinal due to a wrist injury that caused her to leave the court in tears, and she has now confirmed that the same injury has caused her to pull out of the Cincinnati Open.
In a message on Instagram, Kostyuk admitted that she was in pain, but confirmed that she was still planning to head to New York for the US Open.
“The wrist injury I sustained in Montreal has been a challenge these past days,” said Kostyuk. “I gave everything to be ready for Cincinnati. With the help of my incredible team, I managed to step on court and finish my match yesterday.
“It meant a lot to compete despite the pain, but I need to listen to my body. I’ll focus on healing, getting stronger, and coming back ready. Thank you, Cincinnati. See you soon, New York.”
Which WTA players have already withdrawn from the US Open?
While Kostyuk is not planning to withdraw from the US Open, some big names have already confirmed that they will be missing the tournament.
The biggest of those is Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng, who has withdrawn from the US Open due to an elbow injury.
Zheng is not the only seeded player to have pulled out of the New York major, with Paula Badosa’s continued injury woes also preventing her from playing the US Open this year.
Danka Kovinic is the other name on the withdrawal list, with these three players now being replaced by Leolia Jeanjean, Nuria Parrizas Diaz and Jil Teichmann.
There is currently only one withdrawal on the men’s singles entry list so far, with former top 10 player Hubert Hurkacz already out of the US Open.
Players nursing injuries like Kostyuk have just under two weeks to recover for the US Open, with the main draw beginning on Sunday, August 24.