The United Cup effect as Angelique Kerber and Ajla Tomljanovic withdraw from Adelaide International

Two last-minute withdrawals have been confirmed in the WTA 500 Adelaide International just a day before its commencement. The tournament took place at the Memorial Drive Tennis Centre from 9–14 January 2023 and recently suffered the loss of the former world No. 1 Angelique Kerber and the Australian Alja Tomljanovic, both of whom played their first official matches before the Australian Open in the recent United Cup.

The 35-year-old German still has the desire to compete at the highest level, as demonstrated this week in the United Cup, where she secured the title while leading the team alongside Alexander Zverev. On the other hand, Tomljanovic still seemed out of rhythm and exited the tournament in the semifinals after three losses and only one victory, including Australia's elimination against Kerber.

The organization will likely regret losing two of the main players in the tournament, with the 3-times Grand Slam champion Kerber returning after more than a year following her pregnancy and the subsequent birth of her first child.

As for Tomljanovic, she was absent for much of 2023 and only made her comeback at the US Open, where she retired before the second-round match against the 4th seed Elena Rybakina. Tomljanovic seemed to be one of the key stars of the tournament, being one of the two locals in the main draw.

With Tomljanovic's absence, there will only be one local player in the main draw, 18-year-old rising star Taylah Preston, currently ranked world No. 203. However, Australians won't lack stars to enjoy on the courts of Adelaide, as they will have eight players within the top 15, including Elena Rybakina (world No. 3), Jessica Pegula (No. 5), Marketa Vondrousova (No. 7), and Barbora Krejciikova (No. 10). They will also witness the return of Paula Badosa, who struggled with injuries in 2023.