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via Reuters

via Reuters

There is some sad news coming for tennis fans yet again. World No.9 Kiki Bertens has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Australian Open 2021. It is really shocking since it’s coming just weeks before the Grand Slam.

Bertens caught up with an injury in her Achilles tendon after the French Open 2020. She underwent surgery in October last year, and she hasn’t recovered from that so far. It is for this very reason that she will not be able to participate in the Australian Open 2021.

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Last month, there was some hope when the news broke that she was recovering fast. However, it is evident that she is not fully fit as of now. Thus, it is final from her side that she will not travel to Melbourne in February 2021.

Today, the Australian Open management announced that the Spanish player Aliona Bolsova will take Bertens’ place at the Grand Slam.

Kiki Bertens in 2020

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via Reuters

Bertens certainly didn’t have a season she would be proud of. Apart from winning the St. Petersburg Open 2020, she failed to make a mark with her performance in 2020.

The Dutch player lost to Naomi Osaka in the quarters at the Brisbane International. She played well at the Australian Open 2020 but lost to the runner-up Garbine Muguruza in the fourth round. St. Petersburg Open 2020 turned out to be a magical tournament for her as she defeated Elena Rybakina in the finals to clinch the title.

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She lost her momentum soon and suffered an early exit at the Qatar Open and Italian Open 2020. At the French Open 2020, she was looking in great form as she didn’t feel any sort of difficulty in the first three rounds. However, Martina Trevisan thrashed her in the fourth round in straight sets and ended her 2020 season.

It was after this that she caught up with the Achilles injury. Although Bertens will not play the Australian Open 2021, she is recovering fast and will hope to make her comeback soon. Fans definitely have huge expectations from her. Will Bertens be able to get her hands on her maiden Grand Slam title in 2021?