The Australian Open will be without Svetlana Kuznetsova for the first time since 2001 as she continues to recover from wrist surgery.
Kuznetsova, who has won two grand slam titles during her career, is missing from the entry list for the first major of 2018. Speculation about the absence of the former world No.2 mounted last week. During an interview with Russian website Sport Express, Kuznetsova admitted that she was unlikely to play in Melbourne. Earlier this year, she underwent minor surgery on her left wrist.
“There’s a very complicated diagnosis. I’m still recovering and the doctor does not talk about specific dates when I can start training and play. Australia, most likely, I will have to miss.” She said about her recovery.
It is unclear as to when Kuznetsova will return to the tour. Recently asked about if she will play at the St. Petersburg Open, which follows the Australian Open, the Russian said she currently has ‘no answer.’
Kuznetsova has played in 60 grand slam tournaments so far in her career, including 16 consecutive Australian Open appearances. Since 2003 she has only missed two major events. The 2012 US Open due to a knee injury and the 2013 Wimbledon championships due to an abdominal strain.
Another absentee from the tournament will be China’s Saisai Zheng. During the French Open, the world No.94 revealed that she has been suffering with a knee meniscus injury. The injury required surgery, but she delayed the procedure until after the US Open and continued playing. Zheng has won two ITF titles this season.
Currently Kuznetsova and Zheng are the only top 100 players set to miss the upcoming grand slam. Recently tournament director, Craig Tiley, stated that it is ‘likely’ that defending champion Serena Williams will play. Williams hasn’t played since January after giving birth to her first child in September.
“She has got her visa, she has entered, she’s practicing, and she probably just needs a bit more space for a bigger entourage,” Tilley said.
The Australian Open will get underway on January 15th.
