Victoria Azarenka will reportedly miss the US Open in order to fight a custody battle with her ex-boyfriend over their 8-month-old son.
TMZ reported on Friday that the Belorussian star, who split with former golf professional Billy McKeague in July, will skip the grand slam at Flushing Meadows later this month.
A judge informed the 28-year-old that she is unable to leave the state of California with her infant son as the dispute wages on after McKeague filed custody documents in Los Angeles, where Azarenka has a residence.
The case will conclude in October meaning Azarenka, twice winner of the Australian Open, will not travel to New York for the event starting on August 28.
Azarenka’s attorney, famed divorce lawyer Laura Wasser, reportedly told the judge the former world number one would purchase a plane ticket for McKeague and accommodate him in a hotel for the duration of the tournament, but that move was declined.
TMZ also alleges the judge has refused to defer to Belarus’ court, where Azarenka already has a valid custody order.