Tomljanovic, who was also an early exit from the United Cup, took to social media to confirm her absence from the Melbourne grand slam.<\/p>\n
READ MORE:<\/strong> Argentina charged for World Cup celebrations<\/strong><\/a>\ufeff<\/strong><\/p>\n READ MORE: \ufeff<\/strong>Former heavyweight champion dead at 67<\/strong><\/a> READ MORE: \ufeff<\/strong>CA boss responds to Afghan BBL threat<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Although unseeded heading into the tournament, she remains Australia's highest-ranked women's tennis player in the WTA with a ranking of 35.<\/p>\n Speaking after her withdrawal, Tomljanovic \ufeffsaid she had a niggle that flared up in December.<\/p>\n The 29-year-old spoke of an uncertain future and touched on the possibility of surgery, although admitted she would prefer "conservative methods".<\/p>\n "If you ask me, this is probably the worst timing ever," she said.<\/p>\n "I'm sure I would have found and said that even if it happened in six months it would have been the worst thing ever.<\/p>\n Watch the Australian Open live and free on the Nine Network: Channel 9, 9Gem and 9NOW.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/Ajlatom\/status\/1614076433760124928<\/a><\/p>\n "If I'm taking a 15-second pity party, this shouldn't have happened now. It's the time when I'm feeling my best self in every way and I'm coming into a slam truly feeling like I deserve to be even a contender.<\/p>\n "I mean, I feel that way. I'm not coming out here and faking that.<\/p>\n "So, in a way, am I going to have to start from scratch? Probably not. It feels a little unfair, but life's unfair. Part of our job, injuries will happen."<\/p>\n Tomljanovic conceded she was "not close" to being fit enough to compete beyond the second week of the tournament.<\/p>\n Although improving, she ultimately ran out of time to be \ufeffready.<\/p>\n Tomljanovic wasn't the only high-profile withdrawal on Saturday with 11th seed Paul Badosa announcing she would also not be contesting the Australian Open.<\/p>\n On Friday, the Spaniard pulled out of her scheduled Adelaide International 2 semi-final due to a thigh injury that handed Dario Kasatkina a walkover win into the final.<\/p>\n Badosa said she injured herself in the quarter-final win over Beatriz Haddad Maia on Thursday.<\/p>\n Like Tomljanovic, Badosa was the highest-ranked player for her country \u2013 16th in the WTA rankings.\ufeff<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/paulabadosa\/status\/1614080661043970050<\/a><\/p>\n "Bad news … during the quarter-final match in Adelaide, I hurt myself, and after receiving the results I will have to be out (for) a few weeks," Badosa wrote.<\/p>\n "Sad to miss the Australian Open this year, really going to miss it. I will do everything I can to return as soon as possible."<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/AustralianOpen\/status\/1614078051905843201<\/a><\/p>\n The women's draw has already taken two hits in the lead-up with Naomi Osaka a late cancellation with the announcement of her pregnancy.<\/p>\n Badosa \ufeffand Tomljanovic will be replaced in the Australian Open women's draw by lucky losers Laura Pigossi and Leolia Jeanjean.<\/p>\n It's the first time in grand slam history that all Australian women in the 128-player singles draw are wildcards.<\/p>\n Jaimee Fourlis, ranked 160 in the world, is Australia's highest-ranked player in the event.<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/AustralianOpen\/status\/1614095734193913856<\/a><\/p>\n \ufeffFor a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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