Not sure why Jo pulled out of the Bronx(probably the same afflication that a lot of the players caught). However she has posted on twitter pictures of herself in New York and also practising. When Jo has done well at the Grand Slams she has usually done well in the tournaments beforehand. The exception was the 2016 Australian Open when at least she had 2 close matches in the tournaments beforehand. She's only played 2 unconvincing matches since Wimbledon. A qualifier for the US Open has to win 3 matches and on the face of it would seem better prepared.
Notice on twitter that whilst neither of them were in the main draw that Jo and Zarina Dyas both made it to meet with NYJTL kids and gave them a few tennis tips.
The tournament has been a bit of a mess. You're always going to get withdrawals nd players going through the motions a week before a slam, especially the FO and the USO, but there's been 9 top 50 players who have withdrawn and that's pretty ridiculous, pretty much all the biggest attractions as well.
Actually there is a post yesterday from Cincinnati, 'just keep swimming, just keep swimming'.
I blame the re-org of the algorithm...but other than that, there hasn't been much?
This is the first since Sun 4th August and 'smiling my way into this week' in Toronto. Nothing that is that illuminating, particularly as in fact Jo has declined to keep swimming this coming week.
Looks as if she's been reading here - there have been a number of posts on instagram and facebook ever since this thread. Alive and well, training and siteseeing in NY !