Tennis: Injury Bug Strikes Ahead of Australian Open

The best Tennis players in the world are falling and they haven’t even played any games yet. Al Dannity looks at the carnage in the Women’s draw ahead of the Australian Open.

More Melbourne misery for Venus Williams
The elder Williams sister doesn’t have a tremendous record down under, at least not by her lofty standards. After going down with injury during the 2011 competition, Venus won’t even play a point at the 2012 tournament. The continued injury woes affecting Venus, who hasn’t been the dominant force Tennis betting fans know and love for five years now, are reaching career-threatening proportions. All her focus will now surely be placed on being in one piece for the two big grass events this year, Wimbledon and the Olympics which will both take place at the famed London venue.

No dancing in Melbourne for Petkovic
The player to benefit the most from Venus’ absence in 2011 was Andrea Petkovic. With the elder Williams going down injured, Petko recorded her best ever performance at a slam…at least up to that point. The German turned her deep run at Melbourne into further impressive showings at Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows. Petkovic has however been forced to withdraw from this year’s Australian Open, a move that could hurt her significantly in the rankings. The announcement came not long after she decided to end her tradition of dancing after a victory. Her varied victory celebrations had grown a cult following for Petko but complaints from a minority of players led her to retire the ritual.

Wozniacki looks to fight through the pain
World #1 Caroline Wozniacki has vowed to fight through the agony of a wrist injury and take part in Melbourne next week. The Dane’s left wrist flared up during a semi-final loss in Sydney putting Wozniacki’s participation in the first major of the year in jeopardy. Having fought to earn legitimacy as the best in the world for over a year, Wozniacki is eager to try and finally win her first career slam at Melbourne. It’s difficult to see how a player so reliant on her athleticism can thrive when below 100 percent.

Clijsters looks for one last dance
Kim Clijsters doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone but the veteran is determined to make it to Melbourne. The Belgian, who is the defending champion, was forced to pull out of Brisbane injured earlier this month. A recurrent hip problem has hampered Clijsters in recent months and, like Venus Williams, her chief priorities lie in London this summer. A late withdrawal from Melbourne should not be ruled out.

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