The unprecedented withdrawal woes at the 2017 Aegon Classic in Birmingham continued on Sunday as the tournament had to deal with losing world #1 Angelique Kerber from the draw.
Kerber announced her withdrawal from the tournament during her pre-event press conference on Sunday morning, citing a left hamstring injury. To prepare for Wimbledon, the German will instead play next week’s Aegon International in Eastbourne.
The bad news from Kerber is the latest blow in a string of high-profile withdrawals the tournament has had to suffer in recent weeks, as more than ten players from the original entry list won’t be showing up in the Edgebaston Priory Club, including Maria Sharapova, last year’s champion Madison Keys, world #2 Simona Halep, and several others.