World number one Ashleigh Barty withdraws from US Open

KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

World number one Ashleigh Barty has withdrawn from the US Open amid coronavirus concerns.

The Australian player said she did not want to put herself and her support crew through the risks involved during the pandemic.

"My team and I have decided that we won't be travelling to the US and Western and Southern Open and the US Open this year," Barty said in a statement to AAP on Thursday.

"I love both events so it was a difficult decision but there are still significant risks involved due to COVID-19 and I don't feel comfortable putting my team and me in that position.

"I will make my decision on the French Open and the surrounding WTA European tournaments in the coming weeks."

The Grand Slam event is due to begin on August 31 at Flushing Meadows in New York.

 

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