Australian Open bombshell: Tomljanovic out, gutted over knee injury when she was a ‘contender’

Ajla Tomljanovic fought back tears while discussing the mystery knee injury that led to the agonising decision to pull out of the Australian Open at a time she felt she was a “contender”.

Tomljanovic’s withdrawal announcement on Saturday came only minutes before Spanish star Paula Badosa revealed she, too, was out of the Open in a double blow for a tournament that had already lost Carlos Alcaraz and Naomi Osaka.

A knee injury has forced Ajla Tomljanovic out of the Australian Open.Credit: Getty Images

Australia now has only five women in the main draw – all wildcards, and none ranked higher than Jaimee Fourlis’ No.160 – with defending champion Ash Barty’s retirement and Daria Saville’s ACL setback thinning the numbers.

Tomljanovic, a dual Wimbledon quarter-finalist who also upset Serena Williams on her farewell tour to make the last eight at the US Open, remains unsure when she will play again and did not rule out surgery.

Australia’s top women’s player attempted to play in the United Cup at the start of January but ended up withdrawing there as well after her knee issue “flared up more than I liked” a month earlier.

“If you ask me, this is probably the worst timing ever. I’m sure I would have said that even if it happened in six months [but] if I’m taking a 15-second pity party, this shouldn’t have happened now,” Tomljanovic said.

“It’s the time when I’m feeling my best self in every way; coming into a slam truly feeling like I deserve to be even a contender. I mean, I feel that way. I’m not coming out here and faking that.

“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.”

“This is probably the worst timing ever. I’m sure I would have said that even if it happened in six months [but] if I’m taking a 15-second pity party, this shouldn’t have happened now.”

Ajla Tomljanovic

Tomljanovic plans to seek more expert opinions but said she would prioritise conservative methods before opting for an operation to resolve the problem.

The world No.35’s decision to withdraw owed to her not wanting to play unless she could “compete against the best”.

“Coming into an event like this, my goal is to make the second week, not just participate,” she said.

“I’m just not close to being at that capacity. It’s tough because I do feel like it was improving a lot, but I ran out of time.”

Badosa, the world No.11 and 2021 Indian Wells Masters champion, withdrew from her semi-final in Adelaide on Friday citing an adductor injury, and further medical assessment deemed her unfit to play at Melbourne Park.

France’s Leolia Jeanjean and Brazilian Laura Pigossi replace Tomljanovic and Badosa in the main draw as lucky losers from qualifying.

Ajla Tomljanovic has withdrawn from the Australian Open.Credit: Getty Images

Tomljanovic apologised to fans in her social media post on Saturday, later saying it “felt natural because I felt like I did let certain people down”.

“It absolutely pains me to have to write this message but, unfortunately, I won’t be able to compete at this year’s Australian Open,” she wrote.

“I’ve done absolutely everything in my power to get healthy but just ran out of time to heal and be 100% ready to compete at a high level.

“It’s been a very tough decision to make, but I have to listen to my body.

“It’s no secret that this is my favourite place to play, so it hurts me to miss out on a great opportunity to play in front of my home crowd and to be surrounded by the incredible love and atmosphere.

“To all my Aussie fans, I wanna say thank you for always supporting me and cheering me on. I’m gonna miss you guys big time this year.”

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