Why two local crowd favourites could MISS the Australian Open

Local hopes Thanasi Kokkinakis and Ajla Tomljanovic are racing the clock to be fit for the Australian Open after withdrawing from key lead-in tournaments this week. Former Wimbledon and US Open quarter-finalist Tomljanovic decided to pull out of the Brisbane International and Hobart International as she continues to battle the left knee injury she suffered playing for Australia at the Billie Jean King Cup in December. The development comes hours after Kokkinakis also ruled himself out of the Brisbane tournament, citing a 'small hip issue'. The injury-prone star, 28, said he hoped to return to the court quickly, with his home event in Adelaide beginning on January 6. 'Sad to miss the Brisbane International this year,' Kokkinakis wrote on X. 'Dealing with a small hip issue that needs some more time, but hopefully back for the rest of the summer.' Tomljanovic, 31, could arrive at Melbourne Park next month with no competitive tennis under her belt since her injury. She missed the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon due to a lingering knee issue after reaching a career-high ranking of no. 32 in early 2023. 'I'm so disappointed to withdraw from the Brisbane International, but I wanted to be 100 per cent ready to compete, which I am not,' Tomljanovic told her followers on Instagram. 'I'll continue my prep and see you all at the Australian Open.' Tomljanovic holds a current world ranking of 109 but was granted a main draw wildcard by tournament organisers alongside compatriots Daria Saville, Emerson Jones, Talia Gibson and Maya Joint. World number 96 Olivia Gadecki was the only Australian women's player to automatically qualify for the main draw. The Australian Open begins at Melbourne Park on January 12.