Jennifer Brady has become the latest withdrawal from next month’s Australian Open and two warm-up tournaments because of injury.
Jennifer Brady joins growing list of absentees for Australian Open (Reuters Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Brady withdraws from Australian Open due to injury
- Brady reached her first Grand Slam final in February
- The Australian Open will begin on January 17
The Australian Open 2021 runner-up Jennifer Brady has withdrawn from next month’s Melbourne Park Grand Slam due to a foot injury, tournament organizers said on Sunday. Australian Open officials on Sunday confirmed the 2021 finalist would miss the tournament due to a left foot injury, and said in a tweet: “wishing you a speedy recovery Jen”.
Brady, ranked 25, made her maiden Grand Slam final at last year’s event at Melbourne Park, losing in straight sets to Naomi Osaka. The 26-year-old American has not played competitively since being forced to retire from her second-round match against Jelena Ostapenko at Cincinnati in August.
Brady’s withdrawal follows that of the world’s fourth-ranked player, Karolina Pliskova, who announced on Thursday that she would not be coming to Australia due to a right-hand injury sustained during a practice session.
Earlier this month, Canada’s Bianca Andreescu said she would be taking time away from the sport to address mental health concerns, while 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams said she would not travel down under following ‘advice from her medical team’.
Six-time Australian Open champion Roger Federer is out of the men’s draw as he continues his long recovery from knee surgery.
The Australian Open begins on January 17.
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