Australian Open: Top ranked Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic forced out of home slam by knee injury

Australian women’s No.1 Tomljanovic has been forced out of the Australian Open with a lingering knee injury.

Tomljanovic previously pulled out of the United Cup and Adelaide International and confirmed on Saturday she had been unable to recover in time to contest her home grand slam.

The 29-year-old’s withdrawal is a hammer blow to Australia’s hopes of a local women’s player going deep into the tournament following 2022 champion Ash Barty’s retirement.

Tomljanovic posted the words “I’m sorry” on Twitter with a longer statement confirming her withdrawal attached to the post.

“It absolutely pains me to have to write this message but unfortunately I won’t be able to compete at this years Australian Open,” she said in the statement.

“I’ve done absolutely everything in my power to get healthy but just ran out of time to heal and be 100 per cent ready to compete at a high level.

“It’s been a very tough decision to make but I have to listen to my body.

“It’s no secret that this is my favorite place to play so it hurts to miss out on a great opportunity to play in front of my home crowd and to be surrounded by the incredible love and atmosphere.”

Tomljanovic, a quarter-finalist at Wimbledon and the US Open last year, was in line for a precious first-time grand slam seeding at her home major until the injury ruined her leading and resulted in her ranking dropping.

Her unseeded status had delivered her a difficult draw.

The Australian was due to play Argentina’s world No.192 Nadia Podoroska first-up but then faced one of either Sofia Kenin or Victoria Azarenka in the second round.