Worrying withdrawals for Open organisers

The withdrawal of a number of international stars from various Australian Open lead-in events has left Melbourne Park’s tournament organisers on tenterhooks as they anxiously monitor the progress of their injured drawcards.

World number seven and four-time Australian Open champion Andre Agassi was the first to appear questionable when he pulled out of the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai in November.

The 35-year-old Las Vegas native first injured his left ankle in early October playing racquetball with a friend.

A fan favourite in most parts of the world and having held up the Australian Open trophy in 1995, 2000, 2001 and 2003, Agassi’s fan base in Australia is not any slighter than anywhere else.

Agassi is currently still down to play in the star-studded eight-player field in the Kooyong Classic, but has expressed doubts about actually partaking in the popular round-robin lead-up event.

“Australia has now become a concern, no question about it. Until this is better, I can’t make any sure statements,” said Agassi a fortnight ago.

World number two and reining French Open champion Rafael Nadal was the next male to come under an injury cloud as he recently withdrew from an upcoming ATP Tour event in Chennai, India.

The tournament is due to begin on January 2, but Nadal has withdrawn because of a persistent foot injury he sustained during the Madrid Masters final in October.

“My doctor has now recommended that I don’t play [in Chennai] and it’s my misfortune that I can’t make it” said the 19-year-old star.

The Spaniard’s injury also saw him withdraw from the Tennis Masters Cup.

Another high-profile player who withdrew from the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup and remains hampered by his own injuries is 2005 Australian Open champion Marat Safin.

The Russian’s defence of his Australian Open title have taken a blow as he was forced to withdrawal from the opening event of the Australian summer of tennis, the Hopman Cup.

The world number 12 has been troubled by a ligament tear in his left knee since Wimbledon and has not played since losing in the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Masters Series in August.

“There remains a big question mark over his participation in the Open,” said Australian Open tournament director Paul McNamee.

Australian Open organisers will also be hoping that Maria Sharapova – a major drawcard in the women’s event – will recover in time for the commencement of the first major of the year.

The 18-year-old Russian former world number one has pulled out of the tournament at the Gold Coast with a shoulder strain, an injury she has been hampered by through the latter half of 2005 season.

“I am very disappointed to have to withdraw because my right shoulder is not yet ready to allow me to compete at the tour level,” said the world number four.

Led by American Andy Roddick, a number of players have expressed concern about the rigorous schedule that professional tennis players face year in and year out.

The contentious explanation that the demanding schedule of the men’s and women’s professional circuits as a key contributing factor to player injury looks to be an ongoing debate.

For now, Australian Open organisers will be hoping the 2006 event will not repeat the casualties of 2005, which included the absence of defending champion Justin Henin-Hardenne, 2004 finalist Kim Clijstes, and 2001 and 2002 winner Jennifer Capriati.