World No.5 Bianca Andreescu has delayed her start to the 2020 season, pulling out of next month's ASB Classic due to the knee injury she sustained at the WTA Finals.
The Canadian reached her maiden final in Auckland last year as a qualifier ranked World No.152, beating Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki en route.
"I'm super-disappointed about it," Andreescu said in a social media video clip. "But I spoke to my team and I really have to do what's best for my knee right now. I have so many amazing memories there, so hopefully I can create more in 2021."
Andreescu sustained the left knee injury in her second round robin match in Shenzhen at the end of October, eventually retiring versus Karolina Pliskova and withdrawing from the tournament.
The ASB Classic starts on January 6, and the field will feature Grand Slam champions Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Ostapenko, defending champion Julia Goerges and rising teenagers Amanda Anisimova and Coco Gauff.
Andreescu pulled out of the event on Christmas Eve, citing the knee injury.
The 19-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., started her incredible 2019 season with a runner-up finish in Auckland. She defeat former world No.1s Caroline Wozniacki and Venus Williams before ultimately falling in the final to Julia Georges.
From there, the 2019 Lou Marsh Trophy winner went on to capture three titles, including her first-ever Grand Slam at the US Open.
Andreescu's 2019 season came to end when she injured her knee and was forced to retire during a round-robin match versus Karolina Pliskova at the WTA Finals in Shenzhen, China.
The Canadian will now likely be looking to make her first start of the new year at the Australian Open, which is set to start in Melbourne on Jan. 20.
