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Former U.S. Open champion Kerber pulls out of 2022 edition, announces pregnancy

Former U.S. Open champion Kerber pulls out of 2022 edition, announces pregnancy

The 34-year-old German Angelique Kerber won the title at Flushing Meadows in 2016 to rise to No. 1 in the WTA rankings

The 34-year-old German Angelique Kerber won the title at Flushing Meadows in 2016 to rise to No. 1 in the WTA rankings

Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber withdrew from the U. S. Open on Wednesday because she is pregnant, announcing the news via social media by joking that โ€œtwo against one just isn’t a fair competitionโ€ and posting a string of emojis that included a baby bottle.

The 34-year-old German won the title at Flushing Meadows in 2016 to rise to No. 1 in the WTA rankings. She also won the Australian Open that year and added a Wimbledon championship in 2018.

She hasn’t competed on tour since a third-round loss at Wimbledon on July 1. She is currently ranked 52nd.

โ€œFor the next months, I will take a break from traveling the globe as a tennis player but then again, I believe it’s for the best possible reason,โ€ Kerber wrote Wednesday. โ€œI will miss all of you.โ€

She also said: โ€œBeing a professional athlete means everything to me but I’m grateful for the new path I’m heading to. To be honest, I’m nervous and excited at the same time.โ€

Play in the main draw of the U. S. Open begins Monday.

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