Bianca Andreescu won't play US Open, ensuring two new singles champs

There will be two new singles champions at the US Open, as 2019 women's champ Bianca Andreescu has joined last year's men's champ, Rafael Nadal, in withdrawing from the tournament due to coronavirus concerns.

The 20-year-old Canadian also cited a lack of match fitness in her announcement on Instagram:

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A post shared by Bianca Vanessa🦋 (@biancaandreescu_)

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Andreescu's decision is notable in that she is based in North America, rather than overseas—theoretically allowing for safer travel to New York City. Of course, she would still have to cross the Canadian border and then either return to her home country, or travel to Europe for a truncated clay-court swing.

In June, Andreescu was scheduled to compete in the Credit One Bank Invitational, in Charleston, S.C., but withdrew as the event neared due to potential travel issues. It was not made clear if Andreescu would play any tournaments after the US Open; she has not played a tour-level match since the 2019 WTA Finals, due to a lingering knee injury.

The announcement from the WTA No. 6 means that four of the WTA's Top 7, including world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, No. 5 Elina Svitolina and No. 7 Kiki Bertens, won't compete in Flushing Meadows. Earlier on Thursday, ATP No. 1 Novak Djokovic said that he would compete in the US Open, a tournament that will be missing No. 2 Nadal and No. 4 Roger Federer.

I asked @serenawilliams about @Bandreescu_, who pulled out of the @usopen during her match against Venus.

“It’s no secret that I really like her as a person and as a player—she’s so mature and so cool. She’ll come back, she’ll do well when she’s ready.” pic.twitter.com/JNNIvypeog
— Ed McGrogan (@EdMcGrogan) August 13, 2020