Leylah Fernandez’s return to action delayed as she withdraws from Citi Open

Leylah Fernandez in action

Leylah Fernandez’s comeback following injury has been pushed back as the Canadian has withdrawn from next week’s Citi Open.

The 2021 US Open runner-up was forced to miss Wimbledon after suffering a grade three stress fracture in her right foot during her run to the quarter-final of the French Open.

She was initially hopeful of making her comeback at next week’s WTA 250 event in Washington DC, but the world No 14 has still not fully recovered and has been forced to pull out of the tournament.

Fernandez has returned to the practise court in recent days, but she also pulled out of an exhibition event last weekend.

The 19-year-old was due to play American Coco Gauff at the Atlanta Open, but she opted not to take part as she hadn’t received the all-clear from her medical team.

“Hey, guys. So I just wanted to give you a quick update. While my foot is recovering, I am following my doctor’s orders, which are that I will not be able to compete for the next coming week,” she said.

So, I’m very, very sad to say that I will not be in Atlanta. And even though it’s heartbreaking for me, I hope that everyone — the fans and the players — will enjoy their time at the tournament and I want to wish Coco good luck.”

The teenager is now likely to make her comeback at her home tournament, the WTA 1000 Canadian Open, which gets underway on August 8 at the Aviva Centre in Toronto.

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