Two of Australia’s most experienced tennis players, Ajla Tomljanovic and Thanasi Kokkinakis, are working against the clock to recover in time for the Australian Open after both withdrew from key lead-up tournaments this week.
Tomljanovic, a former Wimbledon and US Open quarter-finalist, decided to pull out of the Brisbane and Hobart Internationals as she continues to struggle with a left knee injury sustained during the Billie Jean King Cup last month. She has yet to compete since suffering the injury and faces an uphill battle to be fully fit for the Australian Open.
Meanwhile, Kokkinakis also withdrew from the Brisbane International due to a “small hip issue.” The injury-prone 28-year-old expressed hope for a quick recovery, aiming to be fit for the Adelaide International, which starts on January 6.
Tomljanovic, who had a strong 2024 campaign, is now ranked No. 109 in the world but was granted a wildcard for the Australian Open main draw alongside fellow Australians Daria Saville, Emerson Jones, Talia Gibson, and Maya Joint. Olivia Gadecki, ranked No. 96, is the only Australian woman to automatically qualify for the main draw.
Both players are determined to return to full fitness and compete in the season’s first Grand Slam event in Melbourne.
