Veronika Kudermetova is set to miss several months of action after confirming she underwent surgery at the beginning of the year.
Kudermetova withdrew from the Australian Open, which came out of the blue for many tennis fans and pundits.
The Russian star played most of the WTA Tour’s Asian swing, but she won just two matches on the continent.
The world number 31 has confirmed that she will miss much of the 2026 season due to an undisclosed surgery.
Veronika Kudermetova shares the reason she is missing the Australian Open
Kudermetova took to Instagram to address the several theories fans have conjured up about the star’s Australian Open withdrawal.
“In recent days, there have been many different assumptions about my absence at tournaments. I want to personally clarify the situation,” she wrote on social media.
What is your bold prediction for the 2026 tennis season?
“Many of you know that the last two or three years have been very difficult for me: either injuries, then searching for something new in my tennis, then finding motivations for myself.
“And it’s kind of motivation and goals I decided (I want to represent my republic, my city with dignity), I started to get on the full-length sports rails, but alas… The Almighty has His own plans for each of us!”
Kudermetova shared details of a recent surgery, although she did not want to disclose exactly what she got.
“On the New Year’s Eve, I had a surgery, what exactly – let it remain my personal little secret! In the pursuit of results and victories, I have completely stopped paying attention to my health. It is so difficult to stop at the moment when you are on the rise and you succeed a lot!
“So now the choice between tennis and health has come, it is time to stop a little and finally pay attention to yourself and your body: heal, recover, fill your inner world with new energy. And already in a renewed state to return to the court, but already stronger!”
It is currently unclear when Kudermetova will return to the sport, but the Russian star has already dropped 41 ranking points in 2026.
Every Australian Open withdrawal so far in the women’s draw
There have already been several female stars pull out of the Australian Open main draw, as well as qualifying.
Kudermetova joined Qinwen Zheng, Jennifer Brady, Elina Avanesyan, and Wang Xiyu, who all have exited the Grand Slam.
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Yafan Wang also exited the Melbourne tournament, which allowed Katie Boulter to automatically qualify for the Australian Open main draw.
Despite the recent off-season, the Australian Open has clearly come to early for some of the sport’s biggest stars.
