CANADA (REUTERS) - Canada's Bianca Andreescu has decided not to compete at the Tokyo Olympics due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the former US Open champion said on Monday (July 12). Andreescu is the latest big-name player to opt out of the July 23-Aug 8 Games. Rafa Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka, Nick Kyrgios, Serena Williams and Simona Halep have already announced their decisions to skip the pandemic-delayed Olympics. "I have been dreaming of representing Canada at the Olympics since I was a little girl," world number five Andreescu said on Instagram. "But with all the challenges we are facing as it relates to the pandemic, I know that deep in my heart this is the right decision to make for myself." The 21-year-old, who last competed at Wimbledon where she lost in the first round, said she looked forward to representing Canada in Fed Cup ties and at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Andreescu became Canada's first Grand Slam singles champion with her 2019 US Open triumph but has had a run of injuries starting with a knee problem at that year's WTA Finals in Shenzhen. Fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who reached this year's Wimbledon semi-finals, also said last month that he would not compete in Tokyo. More on this topic Related Story Olympics: Samoa withdraws weightlifters in latest setback for host Japan Related Story Tennis: Thiem withdraws from Tokyo Olympics with eye on defending US Open crown
ROME (AFP) - Canadian tennis star Bianca Andreescu on Sunday (May 9) pulled out of the WTA Rome tournament over Covid-19 rules in Italy. Andreescu, the world number six, missed last week's Madrid Open after testing positive for Covid-19 after arriving in Spain. "Although I have tested negative following my isolation period in Madrid and having been back in full training the last few days, the Italian Government rules put me at risk of being isolated again if I travel to Italy, so unfortunately I have to withdraw from the Italian Open this year," Andreescu said in a post on Instagram. It's yet another setback for the 20-year-old from Ontario, who retired from the Miami Open final against top-ranked Ashleigh Barty with a right foot injury. She had hoped to be ready for the WTA tour's clay-court swing leading up to the French Open, and had received a first-round bye in Rome. Andreescu, who won the US Open title in 2019 with a victory over US great Serena Williams in the final, spent 15 months on the sidelines, nursing a knee injury before the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020. She returned in February at the Australian Open, where she fell in straight sets in the second round to Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei. More on this topic Related Story Tennis: Bianca Andreescu out of Madrid Open after positive Covid-19 test Related Story Tennis: Barty retains Miami Open crown as injured Andreescu limps out
MADRID (AFP) - Canadian tennis star Bianca Andreescu will miss the Madrid Open after testing positive for Covid-19 after arriving in Spain, the world number six said on Twitter on Sunday (April 25). "After testing negative twice before my flight to Madrid, I was sadly informed that I had tested positive upon arrival for Covid-19 and therefore will not be playing at the Madrid Open later this week. "I am feeling good, I am resting, and continuing to follow the health protocols and safety guidelines," Andreescu added. "I look forward to getting back on the court very soon." It's yet another setback for the 20-year-old from Ontario, who retired from the Miami Open final against top-ranked Ashleigh Barty last month with a right foot injury. She had sat out Canada's Billie Jean King Cup playoff tie against Serbia in April, but had hoped to be ready for the WTA tour's clay court swing leading up to the French Open. Andreescu, who won the US open title in 2019 with a victory over US great Serena Williams in the final, spent 15 months on the sidelines, nursing a knee injury before the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020. She returned in February at the Australian Open, where she fell in straight sets in the second round to Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei. More on this topic Related Story Tennis: Barty retains Miami Open crown as injured Andreescu limps out Related Story Tennis: Some WTA players resistant to idea of Covid-19 vaccines, want more information
MIAMI (AFP) - World number one Ashleigh Barty retained her Miami Open title on Saturday (April 3) as Bianca Andreescu's injury curse struck again. Australia's Barty completed a 6-3, 4-0 victory after Andreescu was forced to retire in tears with an injury to her right ankle in the second set at the Hard Rock Stadium. Barty had dominated the Canadian world number nine throughout the contest behind a powerful service game and accurate forehand. The end came soon after the third game of the second set, when Andreescu collapsed to the court after rolling her right ankle during her service game. Barty broke for a 3-0 lead as Andreescu, clearly struggling to move properly battled on. Despite being heavily strapped on her ankle, Andreescu retired soon afterwards, unable to continue. It was a bitterly disappointing end for Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion who missed the first few months of the 2020 season with a knee injury before last year's pandemic shutdown. "Definitely not the way I wanted to end the tournament, but I'm super-grateful nonetheless," Andreescu, 20, said in comments on court after her defeat. "I got to the final in one of my first tournaments in a while and I couldn't be more happy. "For me, getting back on my feet wasn't easy, but I continued to believe in myself and I never gave up. "So to everyone who's going through a tough time like me right now, I just want to say keep your head up and continue to believe in yourself." Barty, meanwhile, was left to reflect on a clinical victory in what was her first overseas appearance since the WTA Tour resumed after the shutdown. "It's been the perfect start for us," said Barty. "Hopefully, it's going to be a long and successful season. It's a brilliant start," added Barty, who now heads to next week's Charleston event as she prepares for the clay court season. The 24-year-old from Queensland controlled the game from the outset, moving Andreescu around the court relentlessly with accurate first serves and heavy groundstrokes. After opening with a convincing hold of serve, Barty broke Andreescu in the second game, taking a 2-0 lead with a bludgeoning forehand that gave the Canadian no chance. Another hold of serve put Barty 3-0 up, and although Andreescu took advantage of an erratic service game from the Australian to break back and close the deficit to 3-2, it was only a temporary reprieve. Barty broke back immediately to go 4-2 ahead and then held easily for a 5-2 lead. Andreescu held for 5-3 but was unable to find a way through Barty's serve as the world number one took the first set in the next game. Andreescu was soon under pressure in the second set, suffering an early break to go 2-0 down. She then appeared to roll an ankle while serving in the third game and crumpled to the court. She managed to continue but Barty broke again for 3-0 lead and the end followed soon afterwards when the youngster retired.