Stan Wawrinka withdraws from US Open, moving Andy Murray into main draw

SHOTS WE MISS: Wawrinka threads backhand pass on match point at 2019 French Open

When Stan Wawrinka missed out on three match points before losing a heartbreaker to Marton Fucsovics in the second round of this year’s Australian Open, who knew that would be the last occasion we’d see the three-time major winner on the Grand Slam stage in 2021?

On Monday, USTA announced that Wawrinka pulled out of the US Open due to his ongoing recovery from left foot surgery. The 36-year-old, who outclassed Novak Djokovic to win the tournament five years ago, has not played since March 9 when he lost to Lloyd Harris in Doha.

With Wawrinka’s withdrawal, another past champion and holder of three majors benefitted from the open slot. Andy Murray, the 2012 titlist, moved into his 15th main draw at Flushing Meadows.

Murray, who can relate to the struggles of managing delicate injuries, is slated to next compete in Cincinnati after receiving a wild card. The former world No. 1 backed out of his singles match at the Tokyo Olympics, instead prioritizing the doubles event with Joe Salisbury (the two fell in the quarterfinals).

Patricia Maria Tig also withdrew from the New York major as a result of a continuing back injury. Claire Liu replaces the Romanian.