Defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova joins Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and No. 2 Kim Clijsters as high profile withdrawals from the Mercury Insurance Open in San Diego, which begins next week.
"Sorry guys, I have to say I won’t defend my title in San Diego and very sad about it," the Russian announced on Twitter.
San Diego is reportedly looking to entice a few other top players with wild cards and still features No. 3 Vera Zvonareva, former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic, 2010 finalist Agnieszka Radwanska as well as the German trio of Andrea Petkovic, Julia Goerges and Sabine Lisicki. France's Marion Bartoli told TENNIS.com that the tournament offered one to her, but because she wants to limit her summer schedule in order to make a serious run at the US Open she's unlikely to take it.