TORONTO — Bianca Andreescu has withdrawn from the Canadian team in the Billie Jean King Cup final.

Tennis Canada said in a statement that Andreescu, of Mississauga, Ont., is focused on her health after battling injuries throughout the season.

She returned from a nine-month absence due to a back injury at this year’s French Open before taking more time off following a first-round elimination at the US Open, where she was champion in 2019.

She recently returned to play two events in Japan in October, reaching the quarterfinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open.

Leylah Fernandez (Laval, Quebec), Rebecca Marino (Vancouver), Gabriela Dabrowski (Ottawa) and Marina Stakusic (Mississauga) will form the Canadian team at the Billie Jean King Cup final, which begins later this month in Malaga , in Spain.

Canada is looking to become the first team since Czechia in 2016 to defend its world title, starting with a quarter-final clash against winners Great Britain and Germany on November 17.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published November 5, 2024.

The Canadian Press