Simona Halep is the latest big name player to withdraw from this year's US Open with the World No.2 becoming the sixth name in the top 10 and the 21st in all from the main singles draw to not be involved in New York.

Halep claimed victory on her return to competition at the Prague Open this past week; which prompted many questions about her involvement and those have now been answered.

"I always said I would put my health at the heart of my decision," she said. "After weighing up all the factors involved and with the exceptional circumstances in which we are living; I have decided that I will not travel."

Also Halep said she will stay and train in Europe; which means that her attendance at Roland Garros could be confirmed ahead of it starting on 27 September.

This means that Karolina Pliskova will be the top seed in New York; with Sofia Kenin, the Australian Open champion second and Serena Williams third after 5th (Svitolina) all the way to 8th (Bencic) have all withdrawn.

https://twitter.com/Simona_Halep/status/1295329751054376962?s=20