Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic is yet again set to spend time away from the tour after picking up a new injury.
The 21-year-old recently pulled out of the Miami Open due to a right foot problem, which has now been diagnosed as a stress fracture. A small crack or bruising in the bone of her foot. Bencic’s setback has also forced her to pull out of an upcoming WTA tournament in her home country. She was scheduled to play at the inaugural Ladies Open Lugano, which will get underway on April 9th.
“I am very sorry to have to withdraw from playing in this year’s Samsung Open presented by Corner due to a stress fracture in my foot.” Bencic said in a statement.
“I do however look forward to coming to the event as a fan and to engage with both the fans and partners of the event.”
So Sorry to have to withdraw from Lugano with a foot injury. Would have love to play in front of the hl. E crowd at the @samsungopen..
☹️ Wishing everyone a great week and I will be there to support. pic.twitter.com/r7AFiZvwox— Belinda Bencic (@BelindaBencic) 28 March 2018
Despite her young age, the former world No.7 has been dodged by numerous injuries. During 2016 a back injury kept her out of action for two months. Then a year later it was a wrist injury, which required surgery, that resulted in a five-month absence from the tour.
Bencic seemed destined to get back on track following her successful end to 2017 that saw her win back-to-back WTA 125 tournaments followed by an ITF $100,000 event in Dubai. However, she hasn’t been able to carry that form into this season yet. In her first three tournaments of 2018, the Swiss player has only managed to win two matches. Her most recently defeat was a three-set loss to Jelena Ostapenko in Indian Wells.
It is unclear as to when Bencic will return to the tour. She is currently ranked 67th in the world.
On the same day as Bencic’s announcement, organisers of the Lugano Open have confirmed that Svetlana Kuznetsova will feature in this year’s draw. The two-time grand slam champion has taken a top 20 wild card into the event. It will be the first time she has played a WTA event in Switzerland since the 2007 Zurich Open.
