Victoria Azarenka to miss US Open over child custody battle

The Belarusian revealed she is unwilling to part with her son during legal proceedings to separate from her former partner.

The 28-year-old returned to action in June, after the birth of her son Leo last December, and had been hopeful that legal arrangements could be worked out to allow her to compete in the upcoming Grand Slam in New York.

"I am sadly unable to compete in this year's US Open due to my ongoing family situation that I am working through," Azarenka said in a statement.

"While I will dearly miss being in New York and playing in one of my favourite tournaments where I have enjoyed some of the best moments in my career, I am already looking forward to being back next year."

Azarenka, who reached the finals at the US Open in 2012 and 2013, initially released a statement on Thursday where she hinted at a possible withdrawal.

"The way things stand now is that the only way I can play in the US Open this year is if I leave Leo behind in California, which I'm not willing to do," the Belarusian said in a statement.

"Balancing child care and a career is not easy for any parent, but it is a challenge I am willing to face and embrace... No one should ever have to decide between a child and their career, we are strong enough to do both," she said.