Maria Sharapova withdraws from U.S. Open with leg injury

Women’s No. 3 seed Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the U.S. Open with a right leg injury. Sharapova made the announcement on her Facebook profile, saying she did not have enough time to get ready for the tournament, which begins on Monday.

“Unfortunately I will not be able to compete in this year’s U.S. Open,” Sharapova said, “I have done everything possible to be ready but it was just not enough time.”

Sharapova hasn’t played in a WTA event since Wimbledon due to the right leg injury. She lost to eventual champion Serena Williams in the semifinal at Wimbledon, but had posted a 34-7 record in singles matches with two titles prior to that event.

“To all my amazing fans, I will be back in the Asian swing in a few weeks and look forward to finishing the year healthy and strong,” Sharapova said.

This is now the third event she’s withdrawn from due to the leg injuries. Sharapova was set to play Daria Gavrilova when the tournament got underway on Monday, but Gavrilova will now play Daria Kasatkina in the match instead.

Sharapova has long been one of the best players in tennis, but has been overshadowed by Williams, who holds an 18-2 record against Sharapova and is the favorite to win this year’s U.S. Open. Williams and Sharapova could have met before the final in this year’s tournament, but Williams would have been hugely favored in that match. Still, it’s a big hit for the tournament given Sharapova’s strong play this season.