One week ago, the news came that the former world setter Serena Williams is forced to stand over next year's first Grand Slam tournament, due to the fact that her physical status is not good enough.
Now another ex-world number one, Karolina Pliskova, has been forced to withdraw.
Starts January 17
On the Australian Opens Twitter account, the now fourth-ranked Czech says that she injured her hand in connection with a training session yesterday, which means that she is forced to stand over the Australian Open, as well as two preparatory competitions in Australia.
- I'm sorry I can not start my season in Australia, and I will miss my Australian fans very much, she says.
The Australian Open starts on 17 January.