Kuznetsova, the 2004 US Open champion, wrote on Instagram Monday that she was retiring from the New York Grand Slam and the previous tournament.
The Western & Southern Open starts on August 22; the US Open begins on August 31st.
World number 31 Strycova of the Czech Republic, Wimbledon semifinalist in 2019, and number 108 Wang Xiyu of China also retired from the US Open on Monday.
“I feel very sad, because I have (waited) for these tournaments so long, but the pandemic changes all plans,” wrote Kuznetsova.
The 35-year-old Russian, who also won the 2009 French Open, was ranked No. 2 in singles.
She is currently number 32, which would have put her in line to be seeded in Flushing Meadows.
Serena Williams reiterates her commitment to play
tennis next week at the inaugural Top Seed Open WTA event in Lexington, Kentucky, relaunching her season after a six-month hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic." data-reactid="49">The 23-time Grand Slam winner will return to tennis next week at the inaugural WTA Top Seed Open event in Lexington, Kentucky, relaunching her season after a six-month hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Williams, who was one of the first players to commit to the US Open despite the pandemic, said her plans remain unchanged, adding that she was tentatively planning to go to Europe for the rescheduled French Open.
“I see myself doing everything if that happens,” Williams said when asked about her schedule at a virtual press conference on Saturday.
“But I’m not planning for the future, as the tournaments have been canceled I thought, ‘Let me work today and see what happens.'”
Serena Williams in action at the Australian Open in January. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP via Getty Images)
The former number 1 in the world said she has spent the past six months at her home in Florida, sheltering herself from the coronavirus threat.
Williams has a history of pulmonary embolisms that limited her lung capacity, a factor that she said had prompted her to be a “bit of a recluse” this year.
“I started social distancing in early March,” he said.
“I don’t have full lung capacity so I’m not sure what would happen to me.
“I’m sure I’d be fine but I don’t want to find out. I have about 50 masks I travel with, I would never want to do without them.
“As for health, I am very careful about what I have done and everyone in Serena’s bubble is really protected.
tennis, but this is my life and my health, so I have been a little bit neurotic but that is how I have to be right now.”" data-reactid="79">“It’s good to play tennis, but that’s my life and my health, so I’ve been a little neurotic, but that’s how I have to be now.”
