By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday 22 August 2024
Former runner-up Our Jabeur will not play the US Open this year. The Tunisian pilot has withdrawn from the field with a shoulder injury. The news was reported shortly after the draw was held on Thursday at Flushing Meadows and Jabeur was replaced by Elise Mertens, the top-ranked undecided player in the draw.
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Mertens becomes the No. 33 seed and her place will be taken by a lucky loser or qualifier. Belgium will face Veronika Kudermetova in the first round.
Jabeur has been dealing with a knee injury for most of the season, but recently missed the Citi Open in Washington, DC, because of her shoulder. She played in Toronto, but was again forced to withdraw from Cincinnati.
“I’m really sad to announce that my shoulder will not be healed in time for the US Open,” Jabeur wrote on Instagram. “I feel that I have to give 100 percent and today it is still not possible. Life has its ups and downs, but sometimes in very negative moments we all have to find the positive in it. This year has been very difficult for me, but I know that somewhere the light is out there.
“I promise once I get my strength back I’ll come back stronger.”
Three-time Grand Slam finalist Jabeur is just 16-14 on the season. She reached the quarterfinals at Roland-Garros and the third round at Wimbledon.
