Victoria Azarenka says she may not take part in the US Open - for which she's 8/1 with Sky Bet.
The Belarusian would've been hoping to celebrate 10 years since she last won the event, but a custody battle over her son Leo means she may not be able to make the trip to New York.
Azarenka took time away from tennis to give birth to her only child last year, but separated with the father after Wimbledon, where she reached round four.
She has not played since, citing a viral illness for pulling out of a tournament in Stanford before reports emerged of a custody battle with Leo's father Billy McKeague.
With 'legal processes' now under way, it means that Azarenka is currently unable to take her son out of California, something she states she is 'not willing to do'.
A statement posted on Twitter read: "Shortly after Wimbledon, Leo’s father and I separated and as we work to resolve some of the legal processes, the way things stand now is that the only way I can play in the US Open this year is if I leave Leo behind in California, which I’m not willing to do.
"Balancing child care and a career is not easy for any parent, but it is a challenge I am willing to face and embrace. I want to support men and women everywhere who know it is ok to be a working mother - or father. No one should ever have to decide between a child and their career, we are strong enough to do both."
The 28-year-old stopped short of confirming her withdrawal, however, adding: "I remain optimistic that in the coming days Leo’s father and I can put aside any differences and take steps in the right direction to more effectively work as a team and agree on an arrangement for all three of us to travel and for me to compete but, more importantly to ensure that Leo has a consistent presence from both of his parents."
Related links
Sky Bet's US Open odds
