Maria Sharapova and Madison Keys both both stepped out of Birmingham.
Two-time Birmingham champion Sharapova said she needed time to rest and recover after Roland Garros.
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“I have good memories of Birmingham so I’m disappointed not to be able to play this year," Sharapova said in a statement. "I need to take care of my body and make sure I stay healthy and sometimes that means you have to take tough decisions like this one. I wish everyone in Birmingham a great tournament.”
Roland Garros semifinalist Keys pulled out with an abdominal injury.
“I am sorry to have to pull out of Birmingham this year," Keys said. "Everyone knows how much I love playing on grass and I was looking forward to starting my grass season there, but unfortunately I aggravated an injury I sustained in Rome and need to rest as much as I can right now. I look forward to returning to Birmingham next year and playing in front of its great fans.”
Keys' departure from the draw created entry for Donna Vekic, the 2013 Birmingham runner-up, to join the field for the grass-court event, which begins on Monday.
Vekic joins British No.1 Johanna Konta in the main draw as well as reigning Wimbledon champion Garbiñe Muguruza, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, Karolina Pliskova, Naomi Osaka and Australia’s Ashleigh Barty, who was runner up to Kvitova in last year’s Birmingham final.
Photo credit: Internazionali BNL d'Italia Facebook