Baltacha was knocked out of the Korean Open on Thursday

Elena Baltacha says competing at the Commonwealth Games could have threatened her future career in tennis.

The British number one pulled out of the Scottish team at the weekend, citing a liver condition which affects her immune system.

Baltacha, 27, told BBC Radio Suffolk: "Out in Delhi right now it's really not safe for me.

"The chances are I will pick something up and that would mean it would jeopardise my tennis career."

The Ipswich-based Scot, whose career has plagued by injury and illness, has enjoyed her best ever season, breaking into the world's top 50 for the first time.

"This year I've had such a good year and I'm in a very good place and with the help of my coach Nino Severino I've managed to stay very fit and healthy," she added.

"To jeopardise it, I just felt it was a very difficult decision."

She is the latest in a growing list of competitors to pull out of the event amid fears about health and safety in teh althletes' village.

Despite reports suggesting organisers are starting to turn the situation around, Baltacha believes the Games will suffer.

"You've got so many athletes pulling out who have medals at the Olympics," she continued.

"It's just a shame because they had something like seven years to get everything perfect and they haven't managed to do that.

"The Commonwealth Games is a really big competition and I can imagine how many athletes are devastated about it because they've been working hard to try and get medals.

"It's a real shame, obviously I'm not the only athlete that has pulled out.

"It's not an amazing situation but hopefully they will get everything sorted for the Games."

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