The main draw of the 2024 Australian Open is now just days away from starting. There is much excitement about the opening Grand Slam of the year. Last year’s champion, Novak Djokovic, and 2023 French Open champion, Iga Swiatek, are just two of several top players on the men’s and women’s entry lists. However, there are also a number of players who have withdrawn from the Australian Open. This article lists the three ATP and one WTA player to withdraw, followed by their four replacements in the draw.
Four Players Withdraw From Australian Open
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Rafael Nadal is the first player to withdraw from the Australian Open. The 22-time Grand Slam champion made his return in Brisbane after nearly a year on the mend with a hip injury he suffered at last year’s Australian Open. Sadly, Nadal sustained another issue in the same area during his quarterfinal defeat to Jordan Thompson last week. The Spaniard is hopeful the injury is not too serious and that he can be back playing at a high level in time for the clay court season.
Reilly Opelka is the second player to withdraw from the Australian Open. The big-serving American is another man who has suffered from long-term injury issues. He missed all four Grand Slams last year, and his attempt at a comeback has now been disrupted. Opelka was plagued for a long time with a hip injury, which seems to have now recovered. However, he sustained a wrist injury and is still not ready to return to professional tennis.
Dominic Stricker is another player to withdraw from the Australian Open. The Swiss announced that a back injury is the reason for this decision, but promised to come back even stronger when he recovers. Stricker had a great run to the US Open fourth round last year, including a win against 2023 Australian Open runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas, and will hope to reach those heights again.
Lauren Davis is the women’s player to withdraw from the Australian Open. This is due to a nagging shoulder injury she blamed on the constant ball changes on the Tour. Davis managed to reach the second round in Melbourne last year, but will not have a chance to improve on that in 2024.
Who Replaces Those Four Players in the Draw?
Quentin Halys replaces Nadal at the Australian Open. The Frenchman will hope to improve on his previous results at the Grand Slam. He has only managed one win in the Melbourne main draw, and that came in his first appearance in 2016. However, he did reach a maiden Grand Slam third round at Wimbledon last year.
Dominic Thiem benefits from Opelka’s withdrawal. He was the 2020 Australian runner-up, where he lost an epic five-set final to Novak Djokovic. Thiem did, of course, go on to win the US Open that year, but he has struggled over the past 18 months. The Austrian will hope to find some inspiration in Melbourne.
Yosuke Watanuki is set to feature at the Australian Open after Stricker’s withdrawal. Watanuki made his debut at the Grand Slam main draw level in Melbourne last year. He made it to the second round by beating Arthur Rinderknech before losing to 2023 Astana Open runner-up Sebastian Korda in straight sets.
Finally, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu replaces Davis at the Australian Open. The 21-year-old made her comeback from nearly nine months out with injury at the ASB Classic in Auckland. She impressed in Auckland, winning her opening round match before narrowly losing to eventual runner-up Elina Svitolina. The Brit now has a chance to build on that momentum at the first Slam of the year.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
