3 minute read

Australia's three-time grand slam quarter-finalist Ajla Tomljanovic is set to tumble down the rankings after withdrawing from the US Open in New York.

Australian tennis star Ajla Tomljanovic has cited arm soreness for her withdrawal from the US Open in New York.

Tomljanovic pulled out just hours before her scheduled second-round showdown with fourth-seeded Australian Open runner-up Elena Rybakina on Wednesday.

The 2022 quarter-finalist was unable to back up from her taxing first-round win over Panna Udvardy.

Tomljanovic's emotion-charged 3-6 6-2 6-4 victory over the Hungarian was her first match in nine months after undergoing surgery in January for a serious knee injury.

But in a welcome revelation, the 30-year-old said it wasn't a knee issue that forced her out.

"My body still needs time to adjust to the intensity of high-level tennis," Tomljanovic posted on social media.

"Don't wanna make this a sad post even though I did pull out today.

"I'm proud of the work we did to get here but it was just a little too early.

"Thank you to the NY fans for all your support, Monday afternoon was good for my soul.

"Back to work for me."

Despite remaining upbeat, Tomljanovic's scratching is nevertheless another setback in a season already cruelly ruined by the untimely knee injury, which struck at the peak of her career.

She had been poised to be seeded at a grand slam for the first time, at her home major no less, before having to pull out of the Australian Open, then the French Open and Wimbledon.

Last year Tomljanovic ended Serena Williams' storied career in the third round at Flushing Meadows en route to becoming the first Australian since the legendary Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1979 to reach the quarter-finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open in a single season.

This year the three-time grand slam quarter-finalist will depart New York with her ranking set to plummet to No.292 in the world.

She will now need wildcards or to apply her injury-protected ranking to gain entry to WTA events.