Thanasi Kokkinakis cops brutal injury blow ahead of Australian Open as Simona Halep makes difficult call

Aussie tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis has copped a fresh blow ahead of the Australian Open, being forced to withdraw from the Brisbane International with a hip injury. The World No.77 received a wildcard entry into the tournament - which begins on Friday - but has now pulled the pin stating he won't be ready in time as he deals with the nagging injury.

However, Kokkinakis isn't expected to miss next month's Australian Open, with his withdrawal from the lead-up tournament largely to get his body right in time for the first major of the year. “Sad to miss the Brisbane International this year,” Kokkinakis wrote on social media.

“Dealing with a small hip issue that needs some more time, but hopefully back for the rest of the summer.” The 28-year-old South Australian is still scheduled to play in his home tournament, the Adelaide International, which begins on January 6 - an event he won just three years ago.

Simona Halep withdraws from Australian Open

But one player who definitely won't feature at Melbourne Park next year is former World No.1 Simona Halep. The 33-year-old took to social media on Thursday to reveal she will be delaying the start of her 2025 season and therefore will skip the Aussie Open.

Halep, whose career has stalled due to a doping ban that was reduced on appeal this year, received a wildcard for the Australian Open qualifying tournament last week. But the former World No.1 says she won't be able to compete at Melbourne Park as she is still in pain after she participated in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.

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The 33-year-old was runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki at the Melbourne major in 2018 and was expected to play in a lead-up tournament in Auckland, however, that will no longer be the case. “After playing in Abu Dhabi, unfortunately, I felt pain in my knee and shoulder once again. After discussing with my team at length, we agreed it is sensible to delay the start of my season,” Halep wrote on Instagram.

“It’s not what I wanted but I would like to thank the tournament organisers in Auckland and Australia for the wild cards and I’m sorry I won’t be able to take them this time.” The Romanian, now ranked 877 in the world, said her next aim will be to play at the Transylvania Open in Cluj in her native country, which begins February 3.

with AAP