MISSING IN MELBOURNE?

The Australian Open could take place without a host of top players following a series of injuries and withdrawals ahead of the season-opening Grand Slam, the latest being Andy Murray’s confirmation yesterday morning that he will miss the event with a hip injury. Here, we take a look at the players already ruled out, and those whose participation is in serious doubt. ANDY MURRAY The 30-year-old has announced he will play no part in the first major of the year following an ongoing issue with his hip. Murray has not played a competitive match since Wimbledon last summer and is considering undergoing surgery. RAFAEL NADAL The 16-time Grand Slam winner is struggling with a knee issue. Nadal, who withdrew from the seasonending ATP Tour Finals in London, cancelled a five-day training camp in Mallorca last month and pulled out of this week’s Brisbane International. NOVAK DJOKOVIC Djokovic has not played since Wimbledon due to a long-standing elbow problem. The Serbian, a winner of 12 Grand Slam titles, pulled out of recent events in Abu Dhabi and Qatar but is set to take part in two exhibition tournaments next week in a bid to test his fitness. STAN WAWRINKA Like Djokovic, Wawrinka has not played since Wimbledon almost six months ago. The Swiss has had two knee operations but is hopeful of featuring in Melbourne despite not participating in any warm-up events. KEI NISHIKORI The world No 22 will be absent from the Melbourne event with a wrist injury. The 29-year-old, who has not played since August, hopes to be back in action soon but said the Australian Open has come too early in his recovery. JOHANNA KONTA The British No 1, a semi-finalist in Melbourne two years ago, retired from her last-eight match in Brisbane yesterday with a hip injury and is unsure whether she will be able to defend her Sydney International title next week.