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Aussie’s Grand Slam dream is in tatters with Ajla Tomljanovic forced to WITHDRAW from the Australian Open and end her chances to emulate Ash Barty to lift the trophy in 2023.
- Tomljanovic is Australia’s highest-ranked woman after finishing 2022 ranked 33rd
- It came after quarterfinal appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open.
- She was forced to withdraw from the United Cup due to injury issues.
- Now she is out of the Open, along with retired reigning champion Ash Barty.
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Local women’s top hope Ajla Tomljanovic withdrew from the Australian Open with a left knee injury, leaving her dream of backing Ash Barty’s 2022 tournament victory shattered.
The 29-year-old tennis star finished 2022 with a career-high ranking of 33rd after reaching the quarterfinals of both Wimbledon and the US Open and was considered a real championship threat at the Aussie Open.
With Barty now retired, Tomljanovic was the highest ranked Australian woman and had a golden opportunity to progress through the tournament at Melbourne Park.
Australia’s Tomljanovic plays a backhand during a practice session ahead of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 14.
After trying to get her body back, the Australian star realized she wasn’t going to be ready and was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open.
However, after withdrawing from the inaugural United Cup due to injury, she was forced to accept that her body would not be ready in time for next week’s Australian Grand Slam.
“It absolutely pains me to write this but unfortunately I won’t be able to compete at this year’s Australian Open,” Tomljanovic posted on Twitter on Saturday with the caption “Sorry.”
“I did everything in my power to be healthy, but I ran out of time to heal and be 100% ready to compete at a high level.”
It has been a very difficult decision to make, but I have to listen to my body.
“It’s no secret that this is my favorite play to play, so it hurts to miss out on the great opportunity to play in front of my home crowd and be surrounded by the incredible love and atmosphere.”
“To all my Australian fans, I want to thank you for always supporting me and cheering me on, I’m going to miss you a bit this year.”
Tomljanovic was in line for a gorgeous Grand Slam seed for the first time in her home major career until injury blighted her lead and caused her ranking to drop.
His unseeded status had given him a difficult draw.
The Australian was first due to play Argentina’s world number 192 Nadia Podoroska, but then faced either Sofia Kenin or Victoria Azarenka in the second round.