Wimbledon champion Krejčíková out of Australian Open with back injury

Czech tennis player and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejčíková said on Sunday she will not be participating in this month's Australian Open due to an ongoing recovery from a back injury.

The 29-year-old world number 10, who emerged as a surprise winner at the All England Club last year, sustained the injury during the WTA Tour's Asian swing of tournaments and seemed to be affected by it at the season-ending WTA Finals in Riyadh in November.

"I wanted to share a quick update regarding my withdrawal from the Australian Open," Krejčíková, last year's Australian Open quarter-finalist, said on social media platform X.

"Unfortunately, my back injury, which troubled me at the end of last season, is still not fully healed.

"It's disappointing because I love playing in Melbourne and have such great memories from reaching the quarter-finals last year ... I'm working hard to get back to full health.

"I can't wait to see you on the court soon." The Australian Open will run from Jan. 12-26.