World No. 2 Barbora Krejcikova has withdrawn from Strasbourg but the tournament organizers announced that Karolina Pliskova and Angelique Kerber have accepted wildcards into the event.
Finaliste de Wimbledon 2021, Karolina Pliskova remplace @BKrejcikova qui n’est toujours pas remise de sa blessure contractée à Doha. 🎾
Nous avons hâte de l’admirer sur la terre battue strasbourgeoise !— Internationaux de Strasbourg (@WTA_Strasbourg) May 12, 2022
Krejcikova, 26, enjoyed an outstanding clay season last year but this year hasn’t even had a chance to compete for the biggest titles on clay.
Last year, Krejcikova won her first WTA title in Strasbourg, before winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open.
Krejcikova made her Strasbourg debut last year and it was quite an impressive debut as she ended up winning the title.
Unfortunately for Krejcikova and the Strasbourg organizers, the Czech won’t be able to defend her title this year.
Krejcikova dealing with an arm injury
Krejcikova has been sidelined for the past three months as she last played mid-February in Doha.
After a round-of-16 exit in Doha, Krejcikova went to Indian Wells but didn’t compete at the tournament.
“I am extremely disappointed and sad to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open. I was looking forward to playing in Indian Wells very much but unfortunately I won’t be able to do so this year. I have had a pain in my arm on and off since Doha which today intensified overnight and together with my team I had to make a very tough decision to withdraw. I will focus on getting the right treatment as soon as possible and I hope I can be back on the court soonest,” Krejcikova announced in early March.
Losing Krejcikova is certainly a blow for the Strasbourg organizers but they are also certainly thrilled to have two former world No. 1s Pliskova and Kerber.
Une nouvelle Wild Card est attribuée à Karolina PLISKOVA ! 🙌🏼
Après l’annonce de Angelique KERBER, une deuxième ex-numéro 1 mondiale sera présente aux #IS22 ! pic.twitter.com/C0MF2SSdDx— Internationaux de Strasbourg (@WTA_Strasbourg) May 12, 2022
L’ancienne numéro 1 mondiale, Angelique KERBER 🇩🇪 obtient une Wild Card pour les #IS22 !
La gauchère de 34 ans au palmarès impressionnant revient pour la deuxième fois aux IS après une venue expresse en 2011. pic.twitter.com/HPEh8mZJwV— Internationaux de Strasbourg (@WTA_Strasbourg) May 11, 2022
Pliskova is set to make her second Strasbourg appearance.
Pliskova made her Strasbourg debut in 2013, when she lost to Misaki Doi in the first round.
Kerber is also set to play in Strasbourg for the second time.
Kerber’s lone appearance in Strasbourg came in 2011, when she was beaten by Laure Pous-Tio in the first round.