MELBOURNE: World No 4 Karolina Pliskova has withdrawn from next month’s Australian Open with a hand injury sustained in training, the player said today in a statement released by tournament organisers.
The 29-year-old reached the semifinals in Melbourne in 2019, losing to eventual champion Naomi Osaka.
She reached the final at Wimbledon this year before a run to the quarterfinals of the US Open.
“Unfortunately, I hurt my right hand in practice yesterday and I won’t be able to play in Adelaide, Sydney and (the) Australian Open this year,” Pliskova said.
Pliskova is the latest high-profile player to miss the Melbourne Park Major, with Grand Slam champions Serena Williams, Bianca Andreescu and Roger Federer also absent.
The Australian Open begins on Jan 17.