Mirza pulls out of US Open with tendon injury, may change retirement plans

India’s Sania Mirza yesterday announced her withdrawal from the US Open because of a torn tendon, adding that the injury would lead to a change in her retirement plans.The 35-year-old, who in January announced that she would be retiring at the end of the 2022 season, said she had picked up the injury while competing at the Canadian Open this month.After reaching the semi-finals of the women’s doubles in Toronto alongside partner Madison Keys, Mirza also played at last week’s Cincinnati Open.“I just have some not so great news,” the six-times Grand Slam doubles champion wrote on her Instagram story.“I hurt my forearm/elbow while playing in Canada 2 weeks ago and obviously didn’t realize how bad it was until I got my scans yesterday and unfortunately I have in fact torn a little bit of my tendon.“I will be out for a (few) weeks and have pulled out of US Open. This isn’t ideal and it’s terrible timing and it will change some of my retirement plans but I will keep you all posted.”The 2022 US Open will begin on August 29 and will end on September 11. Gauff to boost Auckland Classic after Covid hiatusRising American tennis star Coco Gauff will kick off her 2023 season at the Auckland Classic in a boost for the returning New Zealand tournament.The 18-year-old reached her first Grand Slam singles final at the French Open in June and took the number one ranking in doubles following her recent win in Toronto.“I am super-excited to be returning to the... Classic,” world number 12 Gauff said in a statement. “I definitely missed New Zealand the last two years and I am excited to kick my year off back in Auckland.”Both the 2021 and 2022 editions of the tournament were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. American great Serena Williams won the previous Auckland Classic in 2020, her last WTA title.The 2023 tournament starts Jan. 2 in the leadup to the Australian Open. Wimbledon spectator threatens to sue Nick KyrgiosNick Kyrgios is facing potential legal action for defamation from a woman he accused of being drunk and disruptive at this year’s Wimbledon final.During his four-set defeat to Novak Djokovic on July 10, the controversial Australian called on the umpire to eject the spectator.The woman was briefly removed from Centre Court but later returned.Anna Palus accused Kyrgios of making a “reckless and entirely baseless allegation” against her that was broadcast around the world. The player’s claim that she “looks like she’s had about 700 drinks” caused her and her family “very substantial damage and distress”, she said.After reflecting, she said had “no alternative” but to instruct her lawyers to bring defamation proceedings to clear her name.“The need to obtain vindication, and to prevent repetition of the allegation, are the only reasons for taking legal action,” she added in a statement. “Any damages recovered will be donated to charity.”She added: “I hope that Mr Kyrgios will reflect on the harm he has caused me and my family and offer a prompt resolution to this matter. “However, if he is unwilling to do this, I am committed to obtaining vindication in the High Court.”