Eighth-ranked Elena Dementieva pulled out of the Pacific Life Open on Wednesday due to a rib injury suffered during practice in Moscow.
Dementieva, a finalist a year ago, had a stress fracture on the right side. Doctors have told Dementieva that she could be out for up to six weeks.
“I feel very disappointed. I wanted to play here. I was in the final. It sucks,” Dementieva said. “Now I’m going to miss a couple of tournaments.”
Dementieva said the pain has been constant, making it hard for her to sleep and breath.
“There’s nothing you can do,” Dementieva said. “It just takes time.”
pics from the press conference in California. she is now in NY...