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Former world No. 36 Nadia Podoroska has announced that she will not play at the Australian Open. Podoroska, now ranked at No. 84 in the world, ended her 2021 prematurely as he last appearance in 2021 came at the US Open. Podoroska was hoping to be ready for the start of 2021 but decided to take more time after speaking with her team.
"I'm sorry to announce my withdrawal from the Australian Open due to the physical problems that I struggled with throughout this last season," Podoroska sannounced. "Although in this time I learned to coexist and compete with pain, the recovery process to heal my body definitely takes more time.
That is why together with my Tennis Positivo team we decided not to compete again until March 2022. "At the moment I'm leaving for Alicante, where I will continue with my rehabilitation to be 100% again when the time comes to return to the field.
"I feel fine, accompanied by the people I love and by a team of professionals who seek the best for my career and my health. Thanks to each of those people and to you for always being with me."
Podoroska made her Australian Open debut this year
After failing twice to make it past the Australian Open qualifying, Podoroska made her main draw debut at Melbourne Park this year.
Podoroska beat Christina McHale in the first round but then lost to Donna Vekic in her following match. Meanwhile, Podoroska joins Natalia Vikhlyantseva, who also won't play at the Australian Open. Vikhlyantseva is healthy but she is not allowed to participate because the Sputnik vaccine isn't verified.
"Unfortunately, I will not participate in this year AO event. I’m really happy with a level of tennis I showed on a last few events and I wish to play in Australia but Sputnik is not verified yet. Good luck for all participants and AO team, who always made amazing events!" Vikhlyantseva said.