Two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka has decided to withdraw from the US Open due to a custody issue with the father of her son.
The 28-year-old, who reached the final at Flushing Meadows in 2012 and 2013, returned to action in June, six months after giving birth to her son Leo.
Azarenka separated from her child's father in July, shortly after she was knocked out of the fourth round at Wimbledon.
The Belarusian suggested that she would miss the tournament in New York when she released a statement last Thursday, which read:
"My incredible fans and friends, who have supported me throughout my career deserve to know why I may not be able to compete at the US Open this year.
"Shortly after Wimbledon, Leo's father and I separated and as we work to resolve some of the legal processes, the way things stand now is that the only way I can play in the US Open this year is if I leave Leo behind in California, which I'm not willing to do.
"I remain optimistic that in the coming days Leo's father and I can put aside any differences and take steps in the right direction to more effectively work as a team and agree on an arrangement for all three of us to travel and for me to compete but, more importantly to ensure that Leo has a consistent presence from both of his parents."
The final Grand Slam of the year will be held from August 28 to September 10.
Danielle Joynson
