The Australian Open has already suffered several high-profile withdrawals ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year.
On the men’s side, Jack Draper has confirmed he will not play the Australian Open due to the arm injury which has kept him away from tennis since the US Open.
The WTA has seen similar issues, with Jennifer Brady withdrawing from Australian Open qualifying along with former finalist Qinwen Zheng.
With just a week to go until the Melbourne event, another high-profile name has pulled out of the competition.
Veronika Kudermetova withdraws from the Australian Open
Veronika Kudermetova, who has previously reached a career high of world number nine, will not be playing the Australian Open.
Tennis journalist Nick Carter, on X, confirmed the news that the Russian star will not be playing in Melbourne.
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The reason for her early exit is not currently known, but the world number 31 was set for seeded entry at the first Grand Slam of the year.
Her seeded entry will now go to World No. 34 Markéta Vondroušová, who has previously reached the fourth-round of the Australian Open in 2021.
The likes of Lois Boisson, McCartney Kessler, and Jacqueline Cristian are on the cusp of Australian Open seeding and will be hoping for more withdrawals for the event.
The top 32 players cannot play each other in the early rounds, giving them a huge advantage against the rest of the field.
Who has received an Australian Open wild card?
As well as the top 100, there are several high-profile names who have entered the Australian Open thanks to a wild card.
Stan Wawrinka received a last-minute call-up, thanks to his impressive performances for Switzerland at the United Cup.
| James Duckworth | Emerson Jones |
| Bu Yunchaokete | Zarina Diyas |
| Patrick Kypson | Elizabeth Mandlik |
| Kyrian Jacquet | Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah |
| Rinky Hijikata | Priscilla Hon |
| Stan Wawrinka | Talia Gibson |
| Jordan Thompson | Taylah Preston |
| Chris O’Connell | Venus Williams |
Fellow veteran Venus Williams will also be playing the event, at the age of 45, while several rising Australian talents will be playing.
Talia Gibson, Priscilla Hon, and Taylah Preston will all compete at their home Grand Slam in the women’s draw.
In the men’s draw, Aussies James Duckworth, Rinky Hijikata, Jordan Thompson, and Chris O’Connell have received direct entry into the main draw.
