Simona Halep has become the latest top-ranked player to pull out of the US Open due to fears over the coronavirus pandemic.
The two-tme Grand Slam champion - currently second in the WTA rankings - will not travel to New York for the two-week event, which begins on August 31.
The 27-year-old, who crashed out in the second round in the 2019 tournament, cited "exceptional circumstances" and concerns over her health as her reasons for remaining in Europe.
Halep's withdrawal means that of the top-10 players in the WTA rankings whom are not from the USA, only Naomi Osaka and Karolina Pliskova are set to participate.
"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 to New York to play the US Open," Halep wrote via her official Twitter account.
"I always said I would put my health at the heart of my decision and I therefore prefer to stay and train in Europe.
"I know the USTA and WTA have worked tirelessly to put on a safe event and I wish everyone there a successful tournament."
Halep joins defending men's champion Rafael Nadal, reigning women's champion Bianca Andreescu and women's world number one Ashleigh Barty in not playing the tournament.
The Romanian, who won a WTA tournament in Prague over the weekend, is opting to stay and train in Europe ahead of the clay-court section of the season, which commences immediately after the US Open.
Additional reporting from the Press Association.
