Australian Open: Karolina Pliskova withdraws with a hand injury | Tennis News

Karolina Pliskova, 29, sustained the injury during a training session on Wednesday; two-time Grand Slam finalist joins Serena Williams and Bianca Andreescu in being absent from the women’s draw at the first major of the season.

Karolina Pliskova lost to fellow Czech Karolina Muchova in the third round at this year’s Australian Open

World No 4 Karolina Pliskova has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to a hand injury.

The 29-year-old, semi-finalist in Melbourne in 2019, sustained the injury during a training session on Wednesday.

Pliskova will also miss the WTA events in Adelaide and Sydney in early January.

“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,” Pliskova said.

The Czech, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, joins Serena Williams and Bianca Andreescu in being absent from the women’s draw at the first major of the season.

Pliskova lost to world No 1 Ash Barty in the Wimbledon final in July, while she was beaten by Angelique Kerber in the 2016 US Open showpiece.

The Australian Open begins on January 17.

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