Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova has withdrawn from the Australian Open with a back injury, as concerns mount for tennis stars Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek.
The Czech world number 10 first suffered the injury during last year's Asian tour and appeared hampered at the season-ending WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia in November.
“I wanted to share a quick update on my withdrawal from the Australian Open,” Krejcikova posted on X.
'Unfortunately my back injury, which affected me at the end of last season, is still not completely healed.
“It's disappointing because I love playing in Melbourne and I have very good memories of reaching the quarter-finals last year… I'm working hard to get my health back.”
“I can't wait to see you on the court soon.”
Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova withdraws from Australian Open
Czech world number 10 says she has not yet recovered from back injury
Two-time Open champion Naomi Osaka is also in doubt after withdrawing from Sunday's Auckland Classic final with an abdominal strain.
Osaka had just won the first set against Clara Tauson before quitting in obvious distraught.
He later posted a statement on Instagram, posting: “I have come to the conclusion that what is for me is for me and perhaps certain situations occur to train my mind for what is to come.”
'Maybe there are bigger and better things coming my way and I just have to continue the journey to find them…'
Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek has allayed fears she is unfit for the Australian Open, with the world No 2 declaring herself on track for the season-opening Grand Slam in Melbourne.
Swiatek appeared to be crying as she left the court after Sunday night's United Cup final loss to Coco Gauff, having needed a medical timeout late in the 6-4, 6-4 loss.
The five-time Grand Slam champion admitted she had needed treatment for a different problem than the left thigh that required taping in Poland's semi-final victory over Kazakhstan.
Swiatek, however, insisted there was no major concern and that he had simply been suffering from wear and tear after a grueling workload of five singles matches and two mixed doubles in the space of seven days.
Naomi Osaka cried after suffering an abdominal injury while playing in the final of a WTA tournament in Auckland
Iga Swiatek has allayed fears she is unfit for the Australian Open after needing a medical timeout during her match.
“I'm sure I wasn't fresh today, but I'll be fine,” she said.
“Nothing really happened, I was just tired.”
Swiatek had not played an official match in seven weeks since serving a one-month suspension for doping after the WTA Finals in early November.
'At the beginning the tournament has been especially important but, honestly, everything is fine.
“I'm sure I'm happy because this week I also played against some heavy hitters, and also against some girls who played topspin, and I was able to play against both (styles) some really great tennis.”
'Today I couldn't give 100 percent. Coco also played amazing and is definitely improving.
“But I'm really happy with the week and I feel like the things I worked on really improved.”
“But on the other hand, this week before the Australian Open is a different story, so I will take everything step by step and continue the work I have been doing.”
Swiatek will be the women's second seed at the Australian Open ahead of Coco Gauff
Swiatek will be the women's second seed ahead of Gauff, even though Gauff led Team USA to United Cup glory with an undefeated campaign in Perth and Sydney.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner will headline the men's draw, with Australia's big hope Alex de Minaur climbing one place in the rankings to No. 8 after winning both of his United Cup matches to earn an important top-eight spot. .
De Minaur is guaranteed not to run into a higher-ranked opponent like Sinner, third seed Carlos Alcaraz or ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic until at least the quarterfinals.