Azarenka withdraws from US Open

Victoria Azarenka has confirmed that she is withdrawing from the US Open because of her “ongoing family situation”. The former world No.1, who made a comeback after giving birth earlier this year, is involved in a custody dispute with her former partner, Billy McKeague.

“I am sadly unable to compete in this year’s US Open due to my ongoing family situation that I am working through,” the two-time Australian Open champion said in a short statement.

“While I will dearly miss being in New York and playing in one of my favourite tournaments where I have enjoyed some of the best moments in my career, I am already looking forward to being back next year.”

DID YOU READ? Muguruza – I don’t have a lot of expectation

Azarenka had been widely expected to miss the tournament after reports surfaced of a dispute surrounding the custody of her son, Leo. It is understood that after they separated McKeague launched a custody claim in California. A judge has since ruled that the child cannot be taken out of the state without the agreement of both parents until the matter is resolved.

According to reports, Azarenka had offered to pay for travel and accommodation for McKeague and Leo in New York during the tournament, but that offer has apparently been rejected.

Azarenka has already been deemed the legal custodian of her son in her native Belarus.