Injured Pavlyuchenkova to miss rest of 2022

The Russian has been struggling with a knee injury ever since last year’s Roland-Garros, where she reached her first Grand Slam final

Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis – Women’s Singles – Round 3 – Ariake Tennis Park – Tokyo, Japan – July 27, 2021. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of the Russian Olympic Committee reacts during her third round match against Sara Sorribes of Spain REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw / Panoramic

Simon Cambers

May 17, 2022

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who reached her first Grand Slam final at Roland-Garros last year, will miss this year’s event and the rest of 2022 because of injury.

The 30-year-old Russsian, currently ranked 21, revealed the news on social media, saying the pain in her knee made a return this summer impossible, but that she hopes to return in 2023.

Update ! @rolandgarros 🫶♥️ pic.twitter.com/cEBOiTvmNY
— Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (@NastiaPav) May 17, 2022

“It has been a really tough decision to make, as Roland-Garros was always very special to me, especially after a dream run last year,” Pavlyuchenkova wrote.

“But due to the pain for a long time, now the injury is limiting me physically and mentally to compete and practice fully. After rehabbing for months this year and only played at 3 events, the last two tournaments has showed me that the pain was still there and I wasn’t ready.

“So I have decided to take more time and come back stronger next year.”

Pavlyuchenkova, who has been out of action since February and who has been struggling with a knee issue since last year’s Roland-Garros, will be able to take a protected ranking when she returns.

Her absence means the French Open could be without its two finalists from 2022 with winner Barbora Krejcikova having been off the Tour through March due to an elbow injury.

The draw for Roland-Garros is due to take place on Thursday.