Australia’s top women’s tennis star Ajla Tomljanovic has withdrawn from her home grand slam just two days before the tournament begins.
Following Ash Barty’s retirement, the 29-year-old – and world No.35 – was Australia’s top-rated local hope in the women’s draw for the opening major of the season.
But she took to social media after training on Saturday to share that injury has forced her out of the tournament, where she was slated to play on John Cain Arena on Monday’s opening night.
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The 29-year-old on social media captioned a post: “I’m sorry”.
She wrote: “It absolutely pains me to write this but unfortunately I won’t be able to compete at this years Australian Open.
“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.”
Tomljanovic enjoyed a career-best season in 2022, reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the US Open. But she pulled out of the United Cup over the new year with a knee injury, and her social media post showed her grasping at the same left knee.
The five wildcard entrants of Jaimee Fourlis, Kimberly Birrell, Olivia Gadecki, Storm Hunter and Talia Gibson will represent Australia in the women’s singles following Tomljanovic’s withdrawal. None are ranked inside the top 150 in the women’s singles.
Tomljanovic will be replaced by qualifying lucky loser Leolia Jeanjean, with 11th seed Spaniard Paula Badosa also a late withdrawal after suffering an injury in Adelaide.
Babosa posted on Saturday: “Bad news…During the quarterfinal match in Adelaide, I hurt myself and after receiving the results I will have to be out a few weeks.
“Sad to miss the Australian Open this year, really going to miss it. I will do everything I can to return as soon as possible.”
