Bianca Andreescu says her back isn't ready for the Australian Open

Bianca Andreescu of Canada, hits a return to Camila Giorgi of Italy, during the National Bank Open tennis tournament in Montreal, Tuesday, August 8, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

MONTREAL -

Bianca Andreescu says she won't play in next month's Australian Open because of a nagging back injury.

Top sports headlines, all in one place

The 2019 U.S. Open champion from Mississauga, Ont., has been dealing with a stress fracture in her back since the summer.

Her last tournament was the National Bank Open in Montreal in August.

Andreescu wasn't able to compete in this year's U.S. Open or for the Canadian team that won November's Billie Jean King Cup in Seville, Spain.

The 23-year-old says she's feeling better every day, but healing the injury takes time.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 14, 2023.

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BREAKING NEWS | Residential highrise building fire on Donald St. leaves 2 children, woman in critical condition, injures 11 others

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