Calf injury forces Bertens to withdraw from Ricoh Open

Kiki Bertens has been forced to withdraw from the Ricoh Open in Rosmalen. It became obvious that she was suffering from a injury during her phenomenal Roland Garros campaign.

An MRI scan demonstrated that the player from Wateringen suffers from a torn muscle in her left calf.

‘I was really looking forward to play in front of the Dutch public. Especially since last year’s  tournament was so successful and, of course, because of the last few great weeks in Nurnberg and Paris’, the disappointed player explained. .

The new world number 27, who lost in the Roland Garros semi-final from the world number one, Serena Williams, will need two to three weeks to recover.

Last year the Dutch number one reached the semi-final on the Brabant grass, in which Camila Giorgi, who later won the tournament, proved to be too strong.

Bertens’ place in the main tournament will be taken by lucky loser Aleksandra Krunic (WTA-119). The 23-year-old Serbian once took 62^nd position on the world rankings and reached the fourth round at the 2014 US Open as a qualifier.

Tournament director Marcel Hunze said on Bertens’ withdrawal: ‘It is very regrettable for the Ricoh Open that Kiki is not able to play.’

‘We sincerely hope she will recover in time to perform at Wimbledon. Of course this is a setback for the tournament, but the list of players remains very interesting both men and women, with many national and international top players.’