Muguruza drops out of Sydney International tourney due to illness

Spanish-Venezuelan tennis player Garbiñe Muguruza has dropped out of the Sydney International tournament despite beating Carla Suarez Navarro owing to acute gastroenteritis, according to her press manager on Tuesday.

The main reason for her withdrawal is her intention to have a full physical recovery for the first Grand Slam of the season -- the Australian Open -- starting in Melbourne next Monday, reports Efe news.

Despite the illness, Muguruza explained in an interview after Monday's match that she was feeling better referring to the physical discomfort in her left thigh that she suffered during the Hopman Cup held in Perth.

Muguruza defeated fellow Spaniard Suarez Navarro 6-3, 6-4 in the first round and was supposed to go up against the Dutch player Kiki Bertens.

(With inputs from agencies.)