'Sad': Heartbreaking announcement leaves tennis world gutted
Juan Martin del Potro’s devastating run of injuries has forced him out of the US Open.
Tournament organisers on Tuesday announced the 2009 champion will not compete at this year's event as he recovers from a knee injury.
The Argentine re-fractured his kneecap during the Queen's Club Championships in June, in the latest setback to his injury-plagued career.
The moment Del Potro got hurt. https://t.co/D8TqQvzhZg
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) June 19, 2019
The 30-year-old world No.12 missed Wimbledon after scans revealed he had fractured his right patella and subsequently underwent surgery.
Since his triumph at Flushing Meadows 10 years ago, Del Potro has had three left wrist surgeries and another to his right wrist.
However he has fought back each time to return to the tour.
He reached last year's US Open final and won the 2018 Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells, but has said the knee injury could mean the end of his career.
Del Potro will be replaced in the main draw at Flushing Meadows by American Denis Kudla.
The latest setback left the tennis world gutted.
Yeah, it’s a shame. I really hope he can get back to full fitness by the time the Asian Swing comes around
— Olly (@Olly_ATP_2019) August 13, 2019
Sorry to hear this! Best wishes to him for continued progress in his recovery. 💪
— Bernie (@Bernie8256) August 13, 2019
😭
— Rhonda Wegner (@Rhondondon) August 13, 2019
Poor ole Delpo, sad
— LIZZ1O2E (@lizzieRF20) August 13, 2019
Nooooooooooo
— Luis Miguel Echegaray (@lmechegaray) August 13, 2019
If you look up "Star-crossed career", it will likely say simply, "see Del Potro, Juan Martin" https://t.co/3IpcjvwP5O
— Bill Mallon (@bambam1729) August 13, 2019
This is so so sad if it's true. Amazing talent. #DelPotro
Del Potro fears second knee fracture may end career https://t.co/GFwcvJdK8X
via @ESPN App https://t.co/j1ecidMqFp— Soumyaranjan Kar (@soumyaRK) June 22, 2019
Stosur receives wildcard
Former champion Samantha Stosur will contest a 15th US Open after being handed a wildcard into tennis's final grand slam of the year.
A stunning winner over Serena Williams in the 2011 final on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Stosur will join world No.2 Ashleigh Barty and fellow Australians Ajla Tomljanovic, Daria Gavrilova and Astra Sharma in the women's singles in New York.
At 35, Stosur, who has slipped to No.131 in the world rankings but remains a 2019 Fed Cup final option for Australia, will be the third oldest player in the draw behind 37-year-old Serena and the American's sister Venus, who turns 40 next year.
Also a quarter-finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2010 and 2012, as well as a doubles champion in 2005 with Lisa Raymond, Stosur is among eight women to receive wildcards into the singles this year.
The other seven are all American up and comers, including 15-year-old sensation Cori "Coco" Gauff, who last month reached the Wimbledon fourth round after becoming the youngest qualifier in history and famously beating five-time champion Venus en route to the last 16.
Stosur's wildcard gives Australia 10 players in the women's and men's singles main draw in New York.
Nick Kyrgios, Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson, 2018 quarter-finalist John Millman and teenage gun Alexei Popyrin will contest the men's event from August 26.
Another 16 Australians have entered US Open qualifying - eight men and eight women.
AUSTRALIANS AT THE US OPEN:
Women in main draw
2-Ashleigh Barty
46-Ajla Tomljanovic
83-Daria Gavrilova
99-Astra Sharma
131-Samantha Stosur
Women in qualifying
137-Priscilla Hon
162-Ellen Perez
169-Zoe Hives
188-Destanee Aiava
193-Lizette Cabrera
206-Maddison Inglis
231-Kaylah McPhee
236-Arina Rodionova
Men in main draw
27-Nick Kyrgios
38-Alex de Minaur
49-Jordan Thompson
61-John Millman
96-Alexei Popyrin
Men in qualifying
99-Matt Ebden
131-James Duckworth
134-Alex Bolt
166-Marc Polmans
183-Jason Kubler
197-Andrew Harris
212-Thanasi Kokkinakis
234-Akira Santillan