Australia’s top-ranked women’s player Ajla Tomljanovic has withdrawn from her home slam on the eve of the tournament’s start date.
“It absolutely pains me to write this but unfortunately I won’t be able to compete at this years Australian Open,” she wrote.
“I’ve done everything in my power to get healthy but just ran out of time to heal and be 100% ready to compete at a high level.
“It’s been a very tough decision to make but I have to listen to my body.
“It’s no secret that this is my favourite play to play so it hurts to miss out on a great opportunity to play in front of my home crowd and to be surrounded by the incredible love and atmosphere.
“To all my Aussie fans, I wanna say thank you for always supporting me and cheering me on, I’m gonna miss you guys big time this year.”
Previewing the season’s first major on Stan Sport’s Grand Slam Daily, Australian tennis great Wally Masur said Tomljanovic was battling a meniscus concern, potentially stemming from overuse.
In the wake of Ash Barty’s sudden retirement in March last year, Tomljanovic was set to enter this year’s Australian Open shouldering the hopes of the nation in achieving back-to-back women’s singles titles.
The current world No.35, Tomljanovic experienced a breakout season in 2022 – achieving consecutive quarter final runs at Wimbledon and famously spoiling Serena William’s fairytale farewell at the US Open.
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