Team Canada's Billie Jean King Cup Finals title defense received a blow after Bianca Andreescu withdrew from the upcoming event in Malaga.
Canada is the defending Billie Jean King Cup champion. It won its first-ever title last year after Leylah Fernandez inspired the team to triumph unexpectedly.
Andreescu was not a member of Canada's team at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in 2023 because of a severe injury that she only returned from at this year's French Open. Her results since coming back to the sport have been mixed.
The 2019 US Open champion unexpectedly advanced to the final of the Libema Open in S-Hertogenbosch in just her second tournament back, including a victory against Naomi Osaka in the quarterfinal.
Liudmila Samsonova narrowly defeated Andreescu in the final, but that superb showing in the Netherlands meant a very strong return to the sport for the 24-year-old seemed more than possible.
However, things have not been as easy for Andreescu since. After reaching the third round of Wimbledon, she lost five consecutive matches across Wimbledon and the North American and Asian swings on the WTA Tour.
The Canadian ended that barren streak by winning her first two matches since Wimbledon at the Japan Open in Tokyo last month to progress to the quarterfinal before being thrashed by Katie Boulter in the quarterfinal.
Andreescu's slight improvement in Tokyo might have made her a more formidable opponent in Malaga at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, but it has been revealed that she will not compete at the team event.
In a Tennis Canada news release, Andreescu said she was disappointed not to be able to play at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals but wishes her teammates well in their attempts to defend the title they won last year.
"I’m disappointed not to be in a position to join the team in Malaga, but I have faith in their ability to defend the title. Our team has a great energy and dynamic. If anyone can win back-to-back titles, it’s these players."
The press release stated that rest and recovery were crucial for Andreescu's chances of returning to the WTA Tour in top form in 2025 after she had physically struggled in some of her matches in the last few months.
While disappointed to lose a player of Andreescu's ability for Canada's title defense, the team's captain, Heidi El Tabakh, wished her well and is confident that the team will perform well.
"We are sad to see Bianca [Andreescu] withdraw from the team for the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga, and we wish her the best as she attempts to return to 100 per cent health."
"That said, we have a resilient and strong team that not only has the potential to win the tournament, but has proven they can do so with the historic victory in 2023."
"We also understand how difficult it can be to defend a title, not just in tennis but in all professional sports, and we look forward to the challenge and to getting things rolling in a few weeks’ time against either the Brits or the Germans."
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