Andreescu withdraws from warm-up WTA 500 event in Melbourne

Fans will have to wait a little bit longer to witness Bianca Andreescu's comeback. On Monday, the world No. 8 withdrew from the Grampian's Trophy, the WTA 500 event reserved only for players coming out of hard lockdown.

The 2019 US Open champion was the top seed at the Melbourne Park tournament, with the draw shifting to reflect the change. Due to a knee injury sustained in 2019, a foot injury, and the pandemic, the Canadian hasn't played a match since appearing in the WTA Finals in Shenzen.

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"This is going to be a really tough ask for her in Australia," said Lindsay Davenport in a conference call. "From all that I've read and seen on social media, she was really setting herself up, training well in the Middle East. She's one of the few that has [had] 14 days in a hotel room, not able to hit a ball. That is really tough I think on these players to come out and all of a sudden go into a match situation, let alone the fact that you haven't been there in 15 minutes."

The 20-year-old spent weeks training in Dubai to prepare for her return, and was one of the 72 players in quarantine without access to practice or outdoor training hours. Her coach, Sylvain Bruneau, tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival to Melbourne.

In a recent interview withThe Guardian, Andreescu said she spent the two-week period working out via Zoom, shadow swinging and playing Call of Duty.

Play at the Grampian's Trophy begins on Wednesday, but two other WTA 500's, two ATP 250's and the ATP Cup are already well underway at the same site. Andreescu is still entered in the Australian Open, which will begin next Monday.