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Eugenie Bouchard a last-minute withdrawal from the Washington, D.C. WTA Tour event

Eugenie Bouchard a last-minute withdrawal from the Washington, D.C. WTA Tour event

For the second consecutive year, Genie Bouchard is a late scratch from the WTA Tour event in Washington, D.C.

It was a last-minute withdrawal; when the player lists were released earlier in the day, the only late pullouts of note announced were Sara Errani of Italy (knee), Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia (virus) and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (shoulder injury). Then, when the draw came out, Bouchard wasn't in it.

Azarenka did a video message for the disappointed fans, which the tournament passed along on Twitter. It did not Tweet the news of Bouchard's withdrawal although, along with Azarenka, she was featured on their promotional poster and was one of the marquee attractions.

 

The 21-year-old from Montreal suffered a Grade 2 tear of her abdominal muscle before Wimbledon, and hasn't played since losing in the first round there to Duan Ying-Ying of China.

Here is the official quote:

"I am very disappointed to have to pull out of the Citi Open in Washington, DC. I have been working hard to return from an abdominal injury, unfortunately I am not ready to compete."

The tournament promo curse strikes again - but Andy Murray is safely on site (and playing doubles with Canadian Daniel Nestor), and Kei Nishikori was en route Friday.

Well, two out of four isn't bad ... (Citi Open Facebook page)
Well, two out of four isn't bad ... (Citi Open Facebook page)

Bouchard was due to play three matches for the Boston Lobsters franchise in World Team Tennis earlier this week, but pulled out of that more than a week before her first match, which was scheduled for Tuesday.

Bouchard also withdrew from the D.C. event a year ago due to a knee injury when, after reaching the Wimbledon final, she would have been the No. 1 seed. This time, she would have been seeded No. 5.

She has been in the L.A. area, and hit Toronto a week ago for a Rogers Cup promotional event. She's been running and working out in the gym – and practicing, per her Facebook page –  but is not yet ready to get back to competition.

Bouchard Facebooks some evidence in the face of inaccurate assumptions and criticism about her practice regimen. (Facebook)
Bouchard Facebooks some evidence in the face of inaccurate assumptions and criticism about her practice regimen. (Facebook)

It's impossible to know; as usual, reliable information about the No. 1 Canadian is at a premium.

That pic was taken at a gym in Plattsburgh, where Bouchard has reportedly set up camp "for a few weeks" beginning last Saturday, according to the gym's proud owners on their Facebook page. Plattsburgh is about an hours' drive from Montreal in upstate New York.

The clock is ticking; the Rogers Cup in Toronto, Bouchard's big home-country spotlight event, begins in 10 days. The tournament already has her scheduled for the night session on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Bouchard will either be fully fit for it, taking this extra time, but lacking any match play at all over the last six weeks. Or she won't. As with most things Bouchard, it will be a mystery.