Sofia Kenin pulls out of US Open due to testing positive for Covid-19

Sofia Kenin pulled out of the US Open on Wednesday because she recently tested positive for

Covid-19. Kenin announced what she called "disappointing news" on social media.

The 22-year-old tennis player won the 2020 Australian Open and was the runner-up at the

French Open later last year. Her best showing at the US Open is a fourth-round finish in 2020.

"Fortunately I am vaccinated and thus my symptoms have been fairly mild," Kenin wrote.

"However I have continued to test positive and thus will not be able to compete at the US Open

next week."

The last Grand Slam of the year, tennis tournament starts Monday in New York, with fans

allowed at 100% capacity after none could attend last year because of the ongoing pandemic.

"I plan to spend the next several weeks getting healthy and preparing to play well this fall,"

Kenin posted Wednesday. "Thank you all for supporting me."

Kenin has not played since a second-round loss at Wimbledon on June 30 because of a foot

injury. She joins a list of major champions who have withdrawn from the US Open. Most of the

athletes who have withdrawn have cited bodily injuries related to the legs or wrist.

Earlier Wednesday, sisters Serena and Venus Williams said they would not be able to play in

the tournament because of leg injuries. Serena owns 23 Grand Slam singles titles; Venus has

seven.

Kenin will be replaced in the field by a player who lost in qualifying rounds this week, the U.S.

Tennis Association stated in a press release.