Author: Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday, January 11, 2025
11 current Grand Slam champions entered the Australian Open women’s singles draw, but one of them – the 2023 Wimbledon champion Markita Vondrousova – was a last-minute retreat.
Vondrousova announced the news in Melbourne on Monday and was replaced in the draw by Britain’s Harriet Dutt.
Dart came on against Croatian qualifier Jana Feit.
Marketa Vondrousova, who has played 1.5 matches since Wimbledon (last week in Adelaide), withdraws #AustraliaOpen Minutes before the first round.Lucky Loser Harriet Dart stars as Janna Fett. pic.twitter.com/6wAo64apnK
— Jose Morgado (@josemorgado) January 13, 2025
“It is with great sadness that I withdraw from the Australian Open due to an injury I sustained in Adelaide,” Vondrousova wrote on social media. “I’m looking forward to the game, but health comes first. Thank you for your support and hope to see you on the court soon.
The 25-year-old Czech native underwent shoulder surgery in 2024, but her current injury is in her thigh. Last week, she withdrew from the round of 16 in tears after suffering an injury against Diana Schneider.
In Melbourne, she was seen training with heavy straps on her thighs, but she was unable to recover well enough to compete.
The former Wimbledon champion lost in the first round of her title defense to Jessica Bouzas Manero. She is the first defending champion to lose in the first round at Wimbledon since 1994.
