World No 4 Karolina Pliskova is set to miss the Australian Open, which begins on January 17.
The Czech has withdrawn from next month’s Melbourne major and two warm-up tournaments because of a right hand injury sustained in training.
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Australian Open officials on Thursday confirmed the world fourth-ranked player’s withdrawal, and said in a tweet: “wishing you a speedy recovery.”
Pliskova had earlier said on social media “unfortunately I hurt my right hand in practice yesterday and I won’t be able to play in Adelaide, Sydney and Australian Open this year.”
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The 29-year-old Czech Republic player is a two-time Grand Slam finalist.She
lost to No. 1-ranked Ash Barty in this year’s Wimbledon title match and in the 2016 U.S. Open final to Angelique Kerber after Pliskova beat Serena Williams in the semifinals.
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Pliskova’s best finish at Melbourne Park was the semifinals in 2019, where she lost to eventual champion Naomi Osaka after beating Williams in the quarterfinals.
Other notable absentees in the women’s draw in Melbourne include Serena Williams and 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu.
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