Former top five player Nadia Petrova has been hospitalized with viral meningitis.
The ASB Classic announced the news about Petrova’s illness on Tuesday and confirmed that she will not start her 2009 tennis season in New Zealand.
ASB Classic tournament director Brenda Perry received an email from Katerina Stecova, Petrova’s agent, according to a statement released by the tournament.
“I am very sorry to inform you but Nadia Petrova has contracted a viral meningitis and is currently in the hospital,” said Perry.
“She was looking forward to coming to New Zealand very much but unfortunately she won’t be ready to participate in the ASB Classic this year. She is very disappointed to miss your event and hopes to play in Auckland in the next years to come. She sends her best wishes to you, fans, sponsors, and everyone who has worked so hard to put this wonderful event together.”
Perry said that while she was disappointed to lose such a high-profile player, Petrova’s health is a much more serious issue.
“It’s a shame Nadia will not be coming, I know she was looking forward to playing the ASB Classic, but in this situation she is obviously in need of medical care and our thoughts go out to her,” says Perry.
Petrova’s participation is questionable for her other scheduled tournaments in Australia.
Nadia Petrova is currently ranked at No. 11 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour rankings. She won two titles during the 2008 season in Cincinnati and Quebec City.
The 2009 ASB Classic field is also expected to include Elena Dementieva, Caroline Wozniacki, Nicole Vaidisova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and New Zealand’s Marina Erakovic.
[...] 2007, Petrova won two titles: Cincinnati and Quebec City. (source: On the Baseline, photo: Sony Ericsson WTA [...]