Injury benches Sloane Stephens for Lasers match

Professional tennis player Sloane Stephens has withdrawn from the 2013 Mylan World TeamTennis season, meaning she won't play a July 20 scheduled match at the Springfield Lasers complex.

Women's Tennis Association No. 16-ranked Stephens further aggravated an abdominal tear while playing during Wimbledon, when she lost in the quarterfinals to Marion Bartoli of France, according to SportsIllustrated.com.

She was drafted by the Philadelphia Freedoms to play during the Mylan World TeamTennis season.

“I was really looking forward to playing Mylan World TeamTennis for the Philadelphia Freedoms this summer, so I am very disappointed that my injury won't allow me to play my scheduled matches in Philadelphia, Springfield and Albany,” Stephens said in a news release, provided by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. “This injury has been an ongoing problem and it got worse after Wimbledon, so my doctors have advised me to rest."

Those who already have purchased tickets will receive free tickets to the July 21 or July 23 home matches or a refund.

“Of course we’re disappointed that Sloane Stephens’ injury at Wimbledon will cause her to miss the 2013 Mylan World TeamTennis season,” said Parks Director Bob Belote, who acts as CEO of the team, in the release. “As she is one of the game’s rising young stars, it would certainly be our hope to bring Sloane to Springfield at some point for an upcoming Lasers season.”

The Lasers are scheduled to play its opening match tonight at the Mediacom Tennis Stadium at the Cooper Tennis Complex, 2231 E. Pythian St.

Earlier this year, the Lasers drafted 32-time singles title winner Andy Roddick. He is scheduled to play in Springfield July 12, the release said.[[In-content Ad]]