World number eight Victoria Azarenka has withdrawn from the upcoming Family Circle Cup.
The recent Sony Ericsson Open champion has an inflamed right shoulder and will not be able to compete in Charleston.
“I am really sorry that I have to withdraw from the Family Circle Cup in Charleston next week due to an injury in my right shoulder,” commented Azarenka in a statement released by the tournament. “I was looking forward to returning to Charleston and building on the momentum that I have from the past few weeks. I am looking forward to returning to Charleston in 2010.”
The Family Circle Cup is scheduled to begin later this week with a strong player field including Serena Williams, World No. 1 and defending Family Circle Cup Champion, Elena Dementieva, World No. 3 and 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, Venus Williams, World No. 5 and 2004 Family Circle Cup Champion, Vera Zvonareva, World No. 6 and 2008 Family Circle Cup Finalist, and Nadia Petrova, World No. 10 and 2006 Family Circle Cup Champion.
The Family Circle Cup, a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Premier Event, is scheduled April 11-19, 2009, at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, SC.
[...] Elena Dementieva, Venus Williams, last year’s finalist Vera Zvonareva, and Nadia Petrova. (via On the Baseline, photo: Ralf [...]