World number five Jessica Pegula has withdrawn from the French Open to focus on recovering from injuries, she announced on Wednesday. The 30-year-old had previously expressed uncertainty about participating in Paris after overcoming an injury that disrupted her claycourt season. Pegula's last appearance was in the Billie Jean King Cup in April, having missed the Middle East swing in February due to a neck problem.
On Instagram, Pegula stated, "Unfortunately pulling out of Roland Garros this year. I'm just about back to practicing normal, haven't had any issues for weeks... If I had another 5-7 days I would have been there 100%. So I will definitely be back for a full grass season and the rest of the summer and grinding out the rest of the year. Gotta get that match count up." She did not specify the nature of her latest injury and also skipped the events in Rome, Stuttgart, and Madrid this season.
Pegula, a consistent player on the WTA Tour, secured the Montreal title before the U.S. Open last year, where she reached the round of 16. She had advanced to the third round at Roland Garros in the previous year. The first round at Roland Garros commences on Sunday.
