Katie Boulter has pulled out of the Nature Valley Open in Nottingham later this month as she continues to recover from a back injury.
The 22-year-old withdrew from the French Open two days before the start of the tournament, while insisting she had been hoping to compete in Paris.
Her presence in the draw was a major surprise given it had previously been said that she would miss the whole clay-court season and that she may be forced to sit out the grass-court swing as well.
for the grass court season 😍🌱 (2/2) — Katie Boulter (@KatieBoulter1) June 5, 2019
By leaving her withdrawal so late, Boulter was able to collect half the first-round prize money, approximately £20,000, but her management denied that was why she had stayed in the draw.
However, Boulter has now revealed she will not be fit enough to play in the WTA tournament in Nottingham, which begins on June 10.
She wrote on Twitter: "Just a little update. Been getting stronger every day but unfortunately, Nottingham is going to be too soon. I'm so gutted, especially as this tourney is so close to my heart. Nothing beats playing back where it all started! However I'm still really hopeful to be back for the grass court season."
The rule allowing injured players to withdraw and collect half the prize money was introduced to stop those who were not in the condition to compete taking to the court and then retiring after a few games.
So disappointed to have to pull out of the French Open. I was still hoping to have a chance of competing but doctors have advised me not to take a risk with my back. Can't wait to get back on court soon. — Katie Boulter (@KatieBoulter1) May 24, 2019
American Anna Tatishvili was fined all her first-round prize money in Paris after a heavy first-round loss, with organisers deciding she had not been fit enough to compete to professional standards.
A number of players defended Boulter but Billie Jean King, while stressing she did not know the British player's circumstances, believes prize money should not be seen as an entitlement.
The former world number one said: "I think you have to be honest and say, 'I'm not ever planning on playing'. You've deprived somebody else who's healthy to be in the draw. It might be a young person coming up and you've just deprived that person. It might be an older player and it's his or her last year.
"It's not an entitlement. If I don't play, I don't deserve the money. That's old-fashioned, I'm sure. But everything starts with integrity anyway."
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