Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada hits a return against Alexandra Cadantu of Romania during their women's singles match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York August 27, 2012. Wozniak won 6-0, 6-3.EDUARDO MUNOZ/Reuters
A nagging right shoulder problem will keep Canadian tennis player Aleksandra Wozniak out of action for another three months.
Wozniak was hampered by shoulder pain in her opening-round loss at the recent Sony Open in Miami, her first tournament appearance in six months. She later consulted with a shoulder specialist, who recommended that she take some additional time off.
"It's extremely disappointing and as difficult a decision as it is for me, there are no other options," Wozniak said Wednesday in a statement. "I felt ready to come back and I even took more time than needed as a precautionary measure to make sure my shoulder was fully healed, but now I'm back to square one.
"I have to be patient, rest and prepare for a return to action in July."
The 25-year-old right-hander was diagnosed with an acromioclavicular joint sprain last September after she withdrew from the Bell Challenge in Quebec City. Wozniak underwent physiotherapy before resuming training for the 2013 season.
She had originally expected to open the WTA season in Australia last January.
Wozniak, from Blainville, Que., is the top-ranked Canadian women's singles player at No. 58 in the latest WTA rankings.
Injury woes have limited her appearances over the last few years. She missed several tournaments in 2011 due to an eye injury and has also had elbow and forearm problems.