There have been some big name withdrawals from the US Open this year.
This includes British number one Jack Draper, who pulled out of the US Open after his first round win due to an ongoing arm injury.
Marketa Vondrousova is the latest withdrawal from the US Open, which came right before her quarterfinal match.
After the former Wimbledon champion pulled out of her match, Vondrousova was sent a message from Aryna Sabalenka who was her scheduled opponent.
Both Draper and Vondrousova withdrew from their matches before they even took to court, but Coco Gauff’s former coach, Brad Gilbert, believes there should be a new rule introduced for them.
Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty ImagesBrad Gilbert calls for rule to be introduced for players who retire from matches
Gilbert is often voicing his opinions on social media, but on this occasion spoke on the Served by Andy Roddick podcast.
In an interview alongside Tracy Austin, Gilbert was asked what rule change he would like to implement into tennis.
Gilbert issued a strong response, explaining how much it annoys him when someone retires due to injury and plays the next week or in doubles at the same tournament.
“I do get totally annoyed now about players pulling a rip cord in the middle of a match and then they play next week,” said Gilbert.
“It is a really weird thing that a guy is pulling a rip cord in the third or fourth round and then literally it wasn’t that bad that you could play next week, or you are playing the doubles the next day. There should be a rule against that if you pull out of match, you can’t play next week.”
How many retirements have there been at the US Open this year?
There have been 10 retirements or withdrawals at the US Open this year, seven of which have come in the men’s singles draw.
The highest ranked of those is world number six Ben Shelton, whose retirement has caused people to call for changes.
Shelton was clearly emotional after retiring at the US Open, with the American suffering a shoulder injury in his third round match against Adrian Mannarino.
Player who has retired/withdrawn at the US Open this yearNext Scheduled TournamentJuncheng Shang Chengdu Open (Three weeks after retirement)Sebastian KordaChengdu Open/Hangzhou Open (Three weeks after retirement)Jack DraperChengdu Open (Three weeks after walkover)Ben SheltonDavis Cup Qualifier (Two weeks after retirement)Daniel AltmaierDavis Cup Qualifier (Two weeks after retirement)Kamil MajchrzakChengdu Open (Just over two weeks after retirement)Flavio CobolliLaver Cup (Three weeks after retirement)Nuria Parrizas Diaz Jingshan Tennis Open (One month after retirement)Eva LysChina Open (Over three weeks after retirement)Marketa Vondrousova China Open (Nearly three weeks after walkover)
Although Gilbert’s rule is not actually implemented in tennis, he will be pleased to know that none of the 10 players are scheduled to compete within a week of their withdrawals or have played doubles since.
The two players that are scheduled to compete in the closest time to their retirements are Shelton and Daniel Altmaier, who are set to play Davis Cup qualifier matches in two weeks’ time.