'That's ridiculous': Tennis fans erupt over Bianca Andreescu news
Tennis star Bianca Andreescu has caused a stir after making it to the quarter-finals of the Strasbourg International before promptly retiring after her win.
The former US Open champion defeated qualifier Maryna Zanevska 6-1, 6-4 only days out from the French Open.
INCREDIBLE: Osaka's beautiful gesture for rival after life-changing moment
'LAST OPPORTUNITY': Roger Federer's tough admission upon return
'QUITE SAD': Bernard Tomic suffers new low in French Open horror show
However, Andreescu opted for a measured approach and claimed she would be withdrawing from the tournament after feeling pain in her abdomen.
"I'm super happy with the win today. I will be pulling out of my next match, because I did feel a little bit of an ab tear and I don't want to push it at all for Roland Garros," she said.
"I don’t want to take any risks. Nothing serious though. It’s a little discomfort."
But fans pointed out the talented 20-year-old Canadian has suffered from a number of injuries and illnesses in the last 18 months.
More recently, Andreescu retired injured in the Miami Open final against Australian World No.1 Ash Barty.
Andreescu was also forced to pull out of the Madrid Open after she announced she had tested positive for Covid-19.
But the latest setback had some fans frustrated with her run, while others defended her and claimed it wasn't as if the 20-year-old wanted to be injured.
This is becoming borderline unprofessional.
— Hashim (@amroayaar) May 25, 2021
I wish her well but this morning I had a feeling she’d pull out of an upcoming match.
— Janet Eisen (@lcsboyz) May 25, 2021
So over Andreescu with all this withdrawing and her fans, which sucks cuz I do like watching her. Oh well, yawn. Next please
— Liam (@fanofwta) May 25, 2021
A lot of keyboard warriors ripping on Bianca Andreescu for pulling out of Strasbourg. You think she likes being injured?
She wants to compete in every tournament and I can assure you, she's been working her tail off in practice to do so.
Easy to talk tough behind a screen.#WTA— Ben Lewis (@BenLewisSN590) May 25, 2021
Shameful, get fit and in condition before signing up to tournaments!
— roger (@rogerc32) May 25, 2021
After posting two convincing wins in Strasbourg, Bianca Andreescu withdraws from #IS21. This was only her fourth tournament of the year and her first on clay. Will she be ready and fit for Roland Garros next week? https://t.co/f7f44rO2Cc
— TeaTime Tennis (@TeatimeTennis) May 25, 2021
Andreescu 🇨🇦 withdrew from Strasbourg?
What a shame for other competitors who actually can and want to play these tournaments— The Tennis Talker (@TheTennisTalker) May 25, 2021
Bianca Andreescu injured again. She's WAY too young to be going through so many injuries, might be time to consider finding a new training staff. #wta #tennis #strasbourg #is21
— SleptKing (@SleptKingDFS) May 25, 2021
I wonder what the abdominal tear means for Bianca Andreescu. She looked really good yesterday and even today. Hope she doesn't get injured at RG or withdraws at some point.
— baby's baby (@nty_o) May 25, 2021
It’s understandable that her goal is RG and not a 250 but Bianca has been injured 2 years !!! She ends up injuried every 2 or 3 matches!! That’s ridiculous
— Dandresaldi (@dandresaldi) May 25, 2021
It’s upsetting Bc it affects other players chances to get a better paycheck off these tournaments
— Plinio 🇧🇷🇨🇦🏳️🌈 (@plinio_buzato) May 25, 2021
Andreescu's tough run continues
Andreescu's rotten run of luck continued at the Italian Open when the Canadian pulled out due to Covid-19 rules.
The 20-year-old was last month forced to withdraw from the Madrid Open after testing positive for coronavirus.
She served a quarantine period in Spain having tested positive after arrival, with subsequent tests coming up negative.
However, the former US Open champion says Covid-19 rules in Italy mean she's had to pull out of the clay court event in Rome.
Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
