Organisers of next week’s Birmingham Classic have been handed a double blow following the withdrawal of two of their seeded players.
World No.3 Karolina Pliskova has pulled out of the tournament due to an elbow injury. It is understood that the Czech is not in danger of missing the Wimbledon Championships and has been advised to rest her elbow following her run to the semifinals of the French Open last week.
“The elbow has been bothering me for a few weeks already. It needs some good rest,” Pliskova told the CTK news agency.
“The top (thing), of course, is Wimbledon which I need to prepare for the most.”
Last year at the tournament Pliskova crashed out in the first round to compatriot Barbora Strýcová. So far in her career, she has won one WTA title on the grass at the 2016 Nottingham Open.
Pliskova is still scheduled to play at the Eastbourne International prior to the start of Wimbledon. The tournament will take place a week Monday.
Joining the Czech on the absence list is French Open finalist Simona Halep. Multiple sources from both Romania and North America have reported that she will play no tournaments prior to Wimbledon.
It is understood Halep’s reasoning for the break is to rest her ankle. Prior to the French Open, she torn her right ankle ligament during the final of the Rome Open. Despite reaching the final at Roland Garros, Halep admitted that her ankle was far from perfect.
“I don’t know how it stays okay,” She said last week. “I feel pain during the match, but I don’t care. I’m not thinking about that.”
As a result of Halep’s withdrawal, Germany’s Angelique Kerber will retain the world No.1 position until at least Wimbledon.
Earlier this week defending champion Madison Keys also pulled out of the tournament. Meanwhile, Maria Sharapova also confirmed her absence due to a torn muscle.
