Top Players Withdraw from 2025 Australian Open Due to Injuries, Busy Schedule

As the 2025 Australian Open approaches, several high-profile players have withdrawn from the season’s first Grand Slam due to injuries and the grueling tennis schedule. Former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova, and 2018 Australian Open winner Caroline Wozniacki are among the notable absences in Melbourne.

Karolina Pliskova, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, cited a hand injury sustained during practice as the reason for her withdrawal. Barbora Krejcikova, who has been a consistent top-10 player, announced her decision to skip the tournament due to an ongoing back injury that plagued her during the latter stages of the 2024 season. Meanwhile, Caroline Wozniacki, who made a comeback to tennis in 2024, did not provide a specific reason for her withdrawal but has not competed since the US Open.

Australian player Alexei Popyrin, who famously upset Novak Djokovic at the 2024 US Open, highlighted the challenges players face with the packed tennis calendar. “Ideally, we’d have a little bit more time. It’s such a short turnaround after such a long season. There’s not enough days to recover,” Popyrin said. “Taking time off to let your body rest might hinder the preparation, but at the end of the day, you need your body to be ready. The schedule is just so hectic throughout the year.”

The withdrawals underscore the physical toll of professional tennis, where players often compete for 11 months straight with minimal breaks. The Australian Open, held in January, leaves little time for recovery after the off-season, forcing many to prioritize their health over competition.

In place of the withdrawn stars, several players have been granted opportunities to compete in the main draw. Rebecca Marino, a Canadian veteran, will replace Krejcikova, while Yulia Starodubtseva of Ukraine takes Wozniacki’s spot. Spain’s Nuria Parrizas Diaz will fill Pliskova’s vacancy, and Federico Coria of Argentina replaces Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori, who withdrew to focus on his mental and physical health.

The 2025 Australian Open promises to be an exciting tournament despite the absences, with rising stars like Jacob Fearnley of Great Britain looking to make their mark. Fearnley, who broke into the Top 100 in 2024, is one of the players to watch as the action unfolds at Melbourne Park.