Victoria Azarenka Withdraws from 2017 U.S. Open

A custody battle with her child's father caused Victoria Azarenka to withdraw from the U.S. Open.

Victoria Azarenka has withdrawn from the 2017 U.S. Open due to an "ongoing family situation."

Azarenka released the following statement on Monday: "I am sadly unable to compete in this year's U.S. Open due to my ongoing family situation that I am working through. While I will dearly miss being in New York and playing in one of my favorite tournaments where I have enjoyed some of the best moments in my career, I am already looking forward to being back next year."

Victoria Azarenka: 'No Parent Should Have to Decide Between Their Child or Their Career'

​

Last week, Azarenka released a statement explaining the details of the custody dispute with her child's father. 

"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 U.S. Open this year is if I leave Leo behind in California, which I’m not willing to do," Azarenka wrote in a "personal note" on Twitter.

After Azarenka and Billy McKeague split up in July, McKeague filed for custody for their eight-month old son, Leo, in California, according to a TMZ Sports report. Until the dispute is settled, the child cannot leave the state. Azarenka reportedly has a valid custody order from Belarus, but the judge won't defer to the Belarus court.

The dispute is reportedly not going to end before October at the earliest; the U.S. Open kicks off on Aug. 28. Azarenka is currently ranked No. 204 and returned to tennis in June after taking time off to give birth to her son.