Seven-times champion Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Australian Open and she joins a growing list of stars that will miss, or look likely to miss, the opening Grand Slam of 2018. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are still doubtful for the action.
Misses Out
Serena Williams: the seven-time women’s champion is unable to defend her crown. Saying she “needs more time” before returning competitively after having her first child last September.
Andy Murray: The former world No.1 and five-times runner-up has returned to Britain to consider surgery. Having not played since Wimbledon because of a chronic hip injury.
Kei Nishikori: The former world No.4 and US Open runner-up has succumbed to a wrist injury.
Svetlana Kuznetsova: The dual grand slam champion and world No.12 will miss the women’s event with a wrist injury.
Sania Mirza: India’s premier doubles player will miss out due to an ankle injury. Sania is suffering from a condition called jumper’s knee in her right leg.
In Doubt
Rafael Nadal: the world No.1 continues to battle a knee injury that forced his withdrawal from Brisbane. Still likely to start but no guarantees.
Novak Djokovic: The six-times Open champion hasn’t played since Wimbledon. And will make a call after testing his elbow in exhibition events at Kooyong and Melbourne Park.
Stan Wawrinka: The 2014 Australian Open champion has been out of action from 6 months. As he battles a knee injury that will restrict his build-up to next week’s one- night Tie Break Tens.
Victoria Azarenka: The two-time champion and former world No.1 remains locked in a custody battle that is preventing her son leaving California.
Struggling
Garbine Muguruza: Severe cramps forced the reigning Wimbledon women’s champion to retire from Brisbane International, but has since been cleared to play in Sydney next week.
Caroline Garcia: The world No.8 retired from her first-round match in Brisbane with a back injury.
Johanna Konta: The world No.9, a semi-finalist in Melbourne two years ago, retired from her quarter-final in Brisbane with a hip injury. And is unsure whether she will defend her Sydney International title next week.
