Azarenka withdraws from Family Circle Cup

As if the Family Circle Cup entry list were not already impaired enough, Victoria Azarenka has withdrawn because of an inflamed right shoulder. Last year was Azarenka's first year to play in Charleston, and she reached the third round, in which she was defeated by Elena Dementieva.

This is not the first time the Family Circle Cup draw has suffered from last-minute withdrawals. In 2007, a series of top players--Mauresmo, Sharapova, Kuznetsova, and Hingis--all withdrew right before the tournament. But this is the first time I can recall the event losing so many players to another tournament.

Disappointing as this development is--and I am quite disappointed--the Family Circle Cup will nevertheless be an enjoyable and first-class affair. It always is.