Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova reacts after defeating Spain's Garbine Muguruza during the second women's singles match of the 2021 WTA Tournament Finals in Zapopan, Mexico, November 10, 2021. - The WTA Tennis Tournament finals, which were originally to be held in China, bagan Wednesday in Zapopan due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo by Ulises Ruiz / AFP)
World No.4 Karolina Pliskova will miss the 2022 Australian Open with a hand injury.
The 29-year-old, a semi-finalist in Melbourne in 2019, injured her ight-hand injury during a training session this week.
“Unfortunately I hurt my right hand in practice yesterday and I won’t be able to play in Adelaide, Sydney, and (the) Australian Open this year,” the former top-ranked Pliskova said on Twitter.
“I am sad not being able to start my season in Australia and I will miss my Australian fans very much.”
Tennis Australia officials confirmed her withdrawal and tweeted: “You will be missed… Wishing you a speedy recovery.”
Pliskova is the latest in a line of high-profile players to have withdrawn from the first Slam of 2022.
Serena Williams and Bianca Andreescu have both withdrawn from the event, which begins on January 17.
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