US Open fans were dealt a major blow on Tuesday evening as Marketa Vondrousova withdrew just two hours before her quarterfinal matchup against Aryna Sabalenka.
The news, first reported on ESPN, was later reflected on the US Open website, as Sabalenka was shown as the winner of the match via walkover, moving straight through to Thursday’s semifinals.
Fans had paid exorbitant prices to see Tuesday’s night session on Arthur Ashe (which also includes Novak Djokovic against Taylor Fritz), with resale tickets starting at $500 – and going up to $2,000 for courtside seats – just hours before the first match was scheduled to begin at 7pm.
There will now only be one match for devastated fans to enjoy, with US Open officials opting against moving Venus Williams‘ match from the secondary Louis Armstrong Court into the main arena.
Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, has battled injuries in the past and reportedly picked up a new injury in practice.
She is said to have practiced for just 10 minutes after stepping onto the court at 4pm and was reportedly seen crying on the bench.
Marketa Vondrousova pulled out of the US Open just hours before the quarterfinals
Vondrousova was overcome with emotion after winning in the fourth round
Sabalenka will now face American Jessica Pegula in the semifinals – in a rematch of their championship matchup last year.
The Belarusian world No 1 took to her Instagram story to react to the unfortunate news, writing: ‘So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through. She has been playing amazing tennis and I know how badly this must hurt for her.
‘Take care of yourself and I hope you can recover quickly.’
Vondrousova was overcome with emotion after clinching her spot in the quarterfinals, as she broke down in tears and put her face in a towel.
Since becoming the first unseeded women to win Wimbledon in the Open Era, Vondrousova has dealt with hand and shoulder injuries and underwent two surgeries.
The development means that Aryna Sabalenka has advanced to the semifinals
Fans had paid upwards of $500 a ticket for Tuesday’s night session in Arthur Ashe Stadium
However, she re-captured some of her best form this year at the US Open as she beat seeded players McCartney Kessler, Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina.
‘It’s amazing. It was an amazing match. After everything I’ve been through, it’s amazing to be standing here again,’ Vondrousova said after defeating Rybakina in the fourth round.
Following Vondrousova’s withdrawal, the US Open announced that Fritz and Djokovic – originally scheduled to play after Vondrousova and Sabalenka – would take the court earlier than expected around 8pm.
