Long list of injuries may take shine off Oz Open

Melbourne, Jan. 9: A unusually long list of injuries and illnesses could take its toll on the Australian Open, which has already seen withdrawals by Serena Williams and Andy Murray.

Novak Djokovic

Six- time Melbourne champion has been sidelined since Wimbledon in July with a right elbow injury.

Rafael Nadal

A knee injury forced the Spanish world number one out of the warm- up Brisbane International. Stan Wawrinka

The 2014 champion is returning after two operations on a knee cartilage injury. Pulled out of Abu Dhabi exhibition appearance late last month. Milos Raonic

Calf and wrist problems kept the tall Canadian out of action since last October. Played the Brisbane International, but was bundled out by a wildcard.

Nick Kyrgios

Leg was strapped at the Brisbane event which he said related to fluid on the back of his left knee. It didn’t seem to trouble Australia’s big hope, who won the tournament. Jack Sock

The American retired from a match at the Hopman Cup with an injured hip, but returned two days later when he lost to Roger Federer. Dominic Thiem

The Austrian world number five pulled out of the warm- up Qatar Open just hours before his semifinal with flu and a fever.

Jo- Wilfried Tsonga

The 2008 Australian Open runner- up withdrew from the Qatar Open before it started with a wrist injury.

Meanwhile, Garbine Muguruza, US Open champion Sloane Stephens, Johanna Konta, Caroline Garcia, Petra Kvitova, and Julia Goerges are other injured players.