INJURY. Why Andreescu may have a knee surgery

The WTA Finals began this week in Shenzhen. Eight of the best singles players this season are playing to win the Billie Jean King Trophy. However, the tournament has witnessed some high profile withdrawals with players struggling with injuries. Naomi Osaka announced her withdrawal after she suffered a shoulder injury. She had won her first match at the tournament before she was injured. On Thursday, Bianca Andreescu also withdrew from the tournament because of a knee injury.

Andreescu retired after MRI

Andreescu sustained the injury in her second match at the tournament against Karolina Pliskova. The Canadian was returning a serve from the Czech player when she injured her knee. She received treatment from her medical team who heavily strapped the knee. During a changeover in the match, Andreescu told her coach, Sylvain Bruneau, that she was pain and could not bend her knee. Bruneau told his protégé not to aggravate the injury. The 19-year-old retired from the match after Pliskova won the first set. Andreescu underwent an MRI scan on Thursday and revealed she would have to withdraw from the tournament. American Sofia Kenin replaced Andreescu as an alternate and will play Elina Svitolina on Friday.

The crack heard by Andreescu

Describing the injury, Andreescu said she had heard her knee crack as she tried to return Pliskova’s serve. The Canadian may be dealing with a meniscus injury on her left knee. The injury frequently affects athletes. Common symptoms include pain and an inability to bend the knee. Athletes can recover by resting and exercising regularly. In some cases, the knee may require surgery. Recovery from surgery takes around two to six weeks. Should Bianca choose to undergo surgery, she will have two months to recover. The Canadian would have recovered in time for the 2020 season. Still, more tests are needed to decide the best option.

After an incredible 2019, the world No.4 will now focus on being fit for the upcoming season. The Canadian won three titles this year, with her biggest achievement coming at the US Open final. She defeated Serena Williams to capture her first major title. The victory made her the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam title. She is currently fourth on the WTA rankings. She will drop to fifth or sixth on the rankings after her injury-plagued appearance in Shenzhen. Andreescu had also struggled with a back injury in her first match against Simona Halep. The Canadian dominated the first set but lost the match. She said that her back had been hurting during the match with the two-time Grand Slam champion.

Bianca Vanessa Andreescu’s ranking and performance in 2019

Ranked no.4 (career-high), the Canadian played her last match on the 30^th of October when she had to surrender to Karolina Pliskova 6-3 ret. in the R in Shenzhen.

This year Andreescu has a 46-7 win-loss record. The Canadian has won 4 titles in 2019 in the Newport Beach, in Indian Wells, in Toronto and at the U.S. Open. Bianca Vanessa was the finalist in Auckland.