Ons Jabeur withdraws from 2024 US Open

Jabeur, expected to be seeded No. 17, withdrew from the event on Thursday following the release of this year's women's draw.

The absence of Jabeur in New York will be notable: The three-time Grand Slam singles finalist had only missed one other Grand Slam main draw, the 2022 Australian Open in the last six years, and had played seven straight US Open main draws.

The Tunisian, runner-up to Iga Swiatek two years ago, is a fan favourite in New York, but has struggled with injury this year. She was forced out of Dubai in February with a chronic knee problem, and ahead of the US Open, Jabeur withdrew from tournaments in Washington, D.C. and Cincinnati with a right shoulder issue.

She lost the only match she played in Toronto to Naomi Osaka, 6-3, 6-1.

By rule, Jabeur will be replaced in the draw by the next eligible player to be seeded, Belgian Elise Mertens.

Mertens, now the No. 33 seed, will face Jabeur's expected first-round opponent Veronika Kudermetova, and Mertens' original first-round foe, China's Zheng Saisai, will face either a qualifier or a lucky loser.

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