Five Players Withdraw From 2025 Australian Open

The 2025 Australian Open is just days away from starting. Defending men’s singles champion Jannik Sinner and last season’s WTA Finals winner Coco Gauff are two of the numerous stars set to be in action in Melbourne. There have also been some high-profile withdrawals from the Australian Open. This article names those who have withdrawn and lists their replacements in the draw.

Five Players Withdraw From Australian Open

Which Players Have Withdrawn?

Barbora Krejcikova was the highest-ranked player to withdraw from the Australian Open. The Czech announced that she has not fully recovered from a back injury that troubled her in the closing stages of the 2024 season. Last year’s Wimbledon champion withdrew to avoid potentially worsening the injury.

Caroline Wozniacki is another significant name to withdraw from the Australian Open. The 2018 winner in Melbourne did not give an official reason for her decision not to play in the season’s opening Grand Slam. Wozniacki has not competed since the US Open, and there are question marks surrounding how much longer her second comeback to tennis will last.

Two-time Grand Slam runner-up Karolina Pliskova will also not compete at the season’s opening Grand Slam. The former world No. 1 injured her hand during practice and announced she would not play in January because of that physical issue.

Emil Ruusuvori is among two ATP players to withdraw from the Australian Open. He ended his 2024 season in September to preserve his mental and physical health. It seems like the Finnish No. 1 is still not ready to return to professional tennis from his break.

Sebastian Ofner will also not compete at the Australian Open. The Austrian was the first player to withdraw from the tournament in the opening days of December, meaning the news has been known by the organizers for some time.

Who Replaces Those Players in the Draw?

Rebecca Marino will replace Krejcikova at the Australian Open. The 34-year-old’s highest ranking, No. 38, was achieved in 2011. Her best Grand Slam performances were third-round appearances at the French and US Opens.

Yulia Starodubtseva benefits from Wozniacki’s decision to withdraw. She enjoyed the best season of her career in 2024 and has an opportunity to build on that success in the main draw of a Grand Slam in Melbourne.

Pliskova is replaced by Nuria Parrizas Diaz. The Spaniard reached the third round of the Australian Open in 2022 and 2023. Although she has never won a main draw match at any other Grand Slams, she thrives more at the first major tournament on the calendar.

Federico Coria enters the Australian Open draw at Ruusuvuori’s expense. Coria usually plays his best tennis on clay. However, he has been given a chance to cause a surprise by going far at a significant hard-court event.

The talented Jacob Fearnely is also in the draw. He catapulted himself into the Top 100 with an exceptional end to 2024, including three Challenger Tour titles in August and September. The 23-year-old is a player to watch throughout the 2025 season.