Bianca Andreescu confirms participation in Abu Dhabi Open despite injury-forced retirement at Thailand Open

Bianca Andreescu is set to participate in next week's Abu Dhabi Open, putting to rest concerns about a serious injury problem as she was forced to retire midway through her Thailand Open semi-final on Saturday. Shortly after her Thailand Open exit, the Canadian tennis star announced her intention to play in Abu Dhabi, where she is unseeded.

Andreescu was in fine form at the Hua Hin Championships, beating Harriet Dart, Anastasia Zakharova, and Marta Kostyuk to reach the last-four stage without dropping a set. In the semi-final, the 22-year-old trailed Lesia Tsurenko 5-7, 0-4 before calling it quits citing a shoulder injury.

Much to the relief of Andreescu and her supporters, the injury does not seem to be serious at all as the Canadian has expressed her desire to play in the upcoming WTA 500 tournament in the UAE.

Reflecting on her Thailand Open campaign, Andreescu joked about her bittersweet week and also suggested that she had a positive experience overall, before vowing to return in Abu Dhabi.

"Pretty much sums up the week. Jokes aside, just wanted to thank the tournament for hosting such an accommodating and welcoming event!" Bianca Andreescu wrote on Twitter.

"I sadly had to retire but still very happy to have reached the semis! Going to rest up now and get ready for Abu Dhabi in a few days."

The 2019 US Open champion has already had a rollercoaster ride this season, just three tournaments into 2023. After a memorable comeback win against Garbine Muguruza in her very first match of the season at the Adelaide International 1, Andreescu suffered a devastating loss to 4th seed Veronika Kudermetova.

At the Australian Open, Andreescu stunned 25th seed Marie Bouzkova in the first round, before losing to Cristian Bucsa in a three-set thriller.

"The way she's playing tennis is must-see on tour" - Lesia Tsurenko praises Bianca Andreescu

Bianca Andreescu in action at the 2023 Australian Open.

Despite Bianca Andreescu being unable to show the full range of her game in the Thailand Open semi-final against Lesia Tsurenko, the Ukrainian was in awe of Andreescu. After their match, Tsurenko lavished praise on Andreescu and said that the Canadian's tennis is a "must-see" on the WTA tour. Tsurenko believes Andreescu has many different shots in her repertoire.

"I think Bianca is just an amazing player. I told her that after the match," Tsurenko said in her on-court interview after Saturday's curtailed contest.

"I think, the way she's playing tennis, is must-see on tour because she's capable of doing all kinds of shots. It gave me so much trouble today."

Andreescu will begin her Abu Dhabi Open campaign against a qualifier before a potential Round of 16 clash with sixth seed Beatriz Haddad Maia. She is placed in the same quarter of the draw as 2023 Australian Open finalist and world No. 10 Elena Rybakina.