By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday August 22, 2024
Former runner up Ons Jabeur will not play the US Open this year. The Tunisian trailblazer has pulled out with a shoulder injury. The news was reported just after the draw was held on Thursday in Flushing Meadows, and Jabeur was replaced by Elise Mertens, the highest-ranked unseeded player in the draw.
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Mertens becomes the No.33 seed and her spot will be taken by a lucky loser or qualifier. The Belgian will face Veronika Kudermetova in the first round.
Jabeur has dealt with a knee injury for much of the season, but recently missed the Citi Open in Washington, DC, due to her shoulder. She played in Toronto, but again was forced to withdraw from Cincinnati.
“I am truly sad to announce that my shoulder won’t recover in time for the US Open,” Jabeur wrote on Instagram. “I feel I need to give 100 percent and today it's not possible yet. Life has ups and downs, but sometimes in the very negative moments we all need to find the positive in it. This year has been very tough for me, but I know somewhere the light is there.
“I promise once I get my strength back I will come back stronger.”
Three-time Grand Slam finalist Jabeur is just 16-14 on the season. She did reach the quarterfinals at Roland-Garros, and the third round at Wimbledon.