US Open 2020: Former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova pulls out of the event

Former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova pulls out of the event

With just a few weeks remaining for the US Open, this time the former Russian champion Svetlana Kuznetsova becomes the latest player to pull out of this year’s Grand Slam event. Kuznetsova is a 2004 US Open Champion and she was supposed to take part in this years’ even in New York.

However, the 35-year-old took to her Instagram account to announce that she will be withdrawing her name from the Grand Slam tournament due to the scare of coronavirus pandemic.

In her Instagram post, Kuznetsova wrote that she wishes to withdraw her name from the US Open and the tournament preceding it in New York. The Western and Southern Open is set to begin from Aug 22nd while the US Open will take place between August 31-September 13. 

She wrote, “I feel very sad, because I have been (waiting) for these tournaments so much, but the pandemic changes all plans.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDtp_48Ixmr/

Svetlana Kuznetsova’s first Grand Slam title came at the 2004 US Open over countrywoman Elena Dementieva, making her the third Russian woman to win a Grand Slam title, after Anastasia Myskina and Maria Sharapova. Kuznetsova’s second Grand Slam title was the 2009 French Open, defeating compatriot Dinara Safina in the final in straight sets. At the 2006 French Open and the 2007 US Open singles tournament, she was the runner-up, both times to the Belgian player Justine Henin.

The 35-year-old Russian woman ranked as high as number 2 in the singles. She is currently at number 32.

Rafael Nadal, the defending men’s champion, and others such as Stanislas Wawrinka and Nick Kyrgios. Kiki Bertens and Elina Svitolina, who both currently sit in the WTA top ten have also withdrawn.

World No. 1 Ash Barty had also withdrawn her name from the US Open two weeks ago and also released a statement saying: “My team and I have decided that we won’t be travelling to the U.S. for the Western and Southern Open and the US Open this year.”

“I love both events so it was a difficult decision but there are still significant risks involved due to COVID-19 and I don’t feel comfortable putting my team and I in that position. I wish the USTA all the best for the tournaments and look forward to being back in the U.S. next year.

“I will make my decision on the French Open and the surrounding WTA European tournaments in the coming weeks.”