Roland-Garros runner-up Muchova pulls out of Australian Open

The same injury also kept Muchova out of the season-ending WTA Finals in October

Karolina Muchova at the 2021 Australian Open

December 30, 2023

The women’s draw at the 2024 Australian Open saw its first big name withdrawal with French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova pulling out of the event due to a nagging wrist injury.

The same injury also kept the versatile Czech woman put of the season-ending WTA Finals in October.

The 27-year-old, who is ranked No 8 in the world, reached her first Grand Slam final in 2023 – falling to world No 1 Iga Swiatek in the Roland-Garros final and also reached the semis at the US Open, the tournament where she injured her wrist.

Karolina Muchova, Roland-Garros 2023 – © AI / Reuters / Panoramic

“This isn’t my favourite thing to share especially at the start of a new season, but unfortunately the pain in the wrist came back in the middle of my preparation,” Muchova posted on social media on Thursday. “I therefore have to postpone the start of the season and fully heal my wrist first. It’s frustrating but I have to keep positive, recover and get ready for the rest of the year.”

Muchova’s withdrawal takes Raducanu closer to direct entry into main draw

Muchova has reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2021, the year she beat Ash Barty in the tournament.

For British tennis fans, the news means that Emma Raducanu is now two spots away from getting a first entry into the main draw. If there are no more withdrawals in the coming week, the Brit will have to come through the qualifying event to play the main draw in Melbourne.

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