PARIS:
Former women's world number one Angelique Kerber announced on Wednesday that she is pregnant and has withdrawn from next week's US Open joking that "two against one just isn't a fair competition."
The 34-year-old German added that Flushing Meadow holds great memories for her. She won the title there in 2016 and, as a result, became world number one.
"I really wanted to play the @usopen but eventually I decided that two against one just isn't a fair competition," tweeted Kerber, who is ranked 52.
"For the next months, I will take a break from traveling the globe as a tennis player but then again, I believe it's for the best possible reason!
"New York has often been a turning point in my career and it feels like this year will be no different in some way!
"From restarting my career in 2011 (ranked 92 she reached the semi-finals) to winning the title in 2016 and becoming #1 in the world."
Kerber -- who won 2016 Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2018 -- said she was excited about her new chapter.
"Being a professional athlete means everything to me but I'm grateful for the new path I'm heading to," she said.
"To be honest, I'm nervous and excited at the same time."
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