'Brutal': Tennis fans gutted by Bianca Andreescu's latest withdrawal
Tennis fans eager to see Bianca Andreescu back in action have been made to wait a little longer after the 2019 US Open champion withdrew from her Australian Open warmup event.
The Canadian was supposed to be the top seed at the Grampians Trophy WTA 500 event at Melbourne Park - her first tournament in 15 months.
‘WOULDN’T BE HERE’: Serena's stunning Australian Open admission
WHOOPS: Bernard Tomic's damning video before latest withdrawal
However it was announced on Tuesday that Andreescu had withdrawn.
The World No.8 said the withdrawal was simply a precautionary measure after she spent 14 days in quarantine upon arriving in Australia.
“Following the last two weeks in quarantine, it feels so good to finally be back on the court,” she wrote on Twitter.
“After discussing it with my team, we have decided to focus this week on training for the Australian Open and miss the Grampians.
"Many thanks to Tennis Australia and the WTA for their hard work in providing us all of these choices. See you all at the Australian Open."
Fans were still gutted given they haven’t seen Andreescu in action for over a year.
What the hell! I was excited to see her comeback now im depressed
— what’s your pleasure? (@ho4uu) February 1, 2021
Terrible news. Any details ?
— Bwags (@Bwags65773527) February 1, 2021
Not the news we wanted to hear. Collectively Canadian tennis fans have been sooooo excited to see their Champ Bianca Andreescu step back onto the court in 2021. Don’t have an explanation for her withdrawal (as per @wta) from the Grampians event but hoping it’s not serious. pic.twitter.com/HAQiA4Y4I6
— Mike McIntyre (@McIntyreTennis) February 1, 2021
No way to sugarcoat this.
It's brutal.
Bianca Andreescu pulls out of her one lead-up event ahead of the #AusOpen.
Fingers crossed she can still compete there. https://t.co/eczUYgcIBd— Ben Lewis (@BenLewisSN590) February 1, 2021
😢😢😢
And the wait continues for Bianca Andreescu's return to the court #thegist https://t.co/m0P3b9vSCN— The GIST Canada (@thegistnewsca) February 1, 2021
I’m starting to wonder whether Bianca Andreescu is ever going to be healthy enough to play tennis again. https://t.co/QEM9s0RE0Y
— Bill Cooney (@BillCooney) February 1, 2021
‘when Covid is over’ is starting to sound like the new ‘when Bianca Andreescu gets back on court’
— Will (@WillBeckman_) February 2, 2021
Are we ever going to get to see Bianca Andreescu play tennis again? It’s been so long! 😩😭 https://t.co/sB3xRYtrMg
— Suz (@OhhSuzannah) February 2, 2021
Bianca Andreescu’s horrendous 2020 season
The Grampians tournament was hastily organised for players coming out of hard quarantine following COVID-19 exposure on charter flights to Australia.
The former US Open champion hasn’t played a competitive match since suffering a left knee injury at the WTA Finals in October of 2019.
She was on top of the world after beating Serena Williams in the final at Flushing Meadows, but spent the entirety of 2020 on the sidelines.
“I'm doing really well,” Andreescu told the Tennis Majors website in November.
“The virus kind of pushed me back, and some little personal things here and there, but right now I'm good, I’m training hard ... I'm really looking forward to 2021.
“I'm perfectly healthy. I just really wanted to take time to build everything in my life, and I think this time off really helped me do that.”
The World No.8 said she will be “100%” in Melbourne to play the year’s first grand slam.
“I wouldn't say I am ready tomorrow to play a match because I am taking it step by step, but maybe in a couple of weeks I will be good,” she added.
“I don’t want to rush anything but I’m feeling good.”
with agencies
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.