Garbine Muguruza has been forced to withdraw from a WTA tournament for the second consecutive week as doubts are raised over her fitness.
The reigning Wimbledon champion received a medical time out early in her second round clash with Kiki Bertens at the Sydney International on Wednesday, but still managed to clinch a straight sets win. Following the match, the Spaniard admitted that she had to ‘adapt her game’ due to compete against Bertens.
“I struggled a little bit today and I had to adapt a little bit my game with my condition but I managed to win and that is the important thing I guess.” Muguruza said during her on-court interview.
In a statement published on the official website of the Sydney tournament, Muguruza has described her current health as ‘weird.’ Last week she pulled out of the Brisbane International due to chronic leg cramps and was seen wearing strapping on her right leg during her latest match. There is however a new issue troubling the world No.3 after she confirmed an ongoing problem with her abductor.
“I am disappointed but I have talked to the WTA doctors and my team after the match today and following their recommendation, I have to withdraw from the tournament,” Muguruza explained.
“I have felt pain in my right adductor since I started practicing here. Yesterday I felt better and wanted to play. However, during the match today the pain has been there all the time but I wanted to compete.
“I want to thank the tournament and the fans in Sydney for their support.”
The setback comes ahead of the Australian Open, where Muguruza will be the third seed. The 24-year-old reached the quarter-final in Melbourne last year in what was her best performance at the Australian Open to date.
As a result of her withdrawal, Daria Gavrilova has been elevated into the semifinals. The world No.25 dismissed Sam Stosur 6-4, 6-3, despite producing 10 unforced errors during her second round match.
