Written by Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday, January 11, 2025
Despite the presence of 11 reigning Grand Slam champions in the women’s singles draw at the Australian Open, one notable absence was 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, who withdrew at the last minute.
On Monday in Melbourne, Vondrousova shared the unfortunate news and handed her spot to Great Britain’s Harriet Dart.
Dart will now compete against Croatian qualifier Jana Fett.
Marketa Vondrousova, having played just 1.5 matches since Wimbledon (the last being in Adelaide), withdraws from the #AusOpen mere minutes before her first-round match.
Lucky loser Harriet Dart steps in to face Janna Fett. pic.twitter.com/6wAo64apnK
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 13, 2025
“Absolutely devastated to withdraw from the Australian Open because of an injury I picked up in Adelaide,” Vondrousova expressed on social media. “I was truly looking forward to competing, but my health comes first. Thank you for all your support; I hope to be back on the court soon.”
The 25-year-old Czech star had shoulder surgery in 2024, but her latest injury is affecting her upper leg. She left her round of 16 match in tears last week after pulling out against Diana Shnaider.
In Melbourne, she was spotted training with significant strapping on her thigh, yet she couldn’t shake off the injury in time for competition.
Last year, Vondrousova faced an early exit in her title defense, falling to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the first round. This marked the first time a defending champion lost in the opening round of their title defense at Wimbledon since 1994.