Karolina Pliskova has withdrawn from the Australian Open after suffering a hand injury in practice. The setback marks an unwelcome career first for the world No 4, who has never previously missed a grand slam event due to injury.
Pliskova, a semi-finalist in Melbourne two years ago, said in a statement: “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. I am sad not being able to start my season in Australia and I will miss my Australian fans very much.”
Pliskova, 29, posted a picture on her social media accounts that showed her wearing a cast running from her right hand to her elbow. “Some days are worse than others,” wrote the Czech. “Unfortunately I will be out for a while and will not compete at my favourite tournaments in Australia. But time and belief can heal everything.”
The Australian hard-court swing has previously been a source of rich pickings for Pliskova, who has won the Brisbane International three times and was a finalist in Sydney six years ago. Pliskova reached the Australian Open quarter-finals for the second consecutive year in 2018, and was beaten by Naomi Osaka in the last four the following season.
The Czech will be joined on the sidelines by Jennifer Brady, who continues to struggle with a foot injury. The American, ranked 25th, has barely played since reaching her maiden grand slam final at Melbourne Park in February.
Brady withdrew midway through her third-round meeting with Coco Gauff at Roland Garros, citing “plantar fasciitis and a bone bruise”, and has played only three matches since. The 26-year-old’s most recent appearance was in Cincinnati in August, where she pulled out against Jelena Ostapenko in the second round.
Serena Williams, a seven-time champion in Melbourne, will also be absent. Williams, who needs one more major to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 grand slam titles, confirmed her absence earlier this month on social media.
“Following the advice of my medical team, I have decided to withdraw from this year’s Australian Open,” wrote the former world No 1 on Twitter. “While this is not an easy decision to make, I am not where I need to be physically to compete.
“Melbourne is one of my favourite cities to visit and I look forward to playing at the AO every year. I will miss seeing the fans but I am excited to return and compete at my highest level.”