Tomljanovic, Badosa withdraw from Australian Open

Both female players bow out of 1st Grand Slam of year due to injuries

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) – Due to injuries, women’s tennis players Ajla Tomljanovic and Paula Badosa on Saturday withdrew from the 2023 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year.

"It absolutely pains me to have to write this message but unfortunately I won't be able to compete at this year's Australian Open. I've done absolutely everything in my power to get healthy but just ran out of time to heal and be 100% ready to compete at a high level," Australia's Tomljanovic, who ranked 35th in women's singles, said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Spanish player Paula Badosa, who is currently number 11 worldwide, also bowed out, tweeting: "Bad news ... During the quarterfinal match in Adelaide, I hurt myself and after receiving the results I will have to be out a few weeks ... Sad to miss Australian Open this year, really going to miss it.”

World no. 1 in men's singles Carlos Alcaraz from Spain, Croatian player Marin Cilic, former Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka of Japan, and the US' Venus Williams said that they will not play in this year's Australian Open.

Alcaraz, Cilic and Williams had injuries, but Osaka, who won in Australia in 2019 and 2021, announced that she is pregnant.

The 2023 Australian Open will begin on Jan. 16 in Melbourne.

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