Jessica Pegula will not play at the Brisbane International next week with the American postponing the start of her season with this withdrawal having not yet recovered from the knee injury that saw her withdraw from the WTA Finals.
Pegula had to withdraw mid way through the WTA Finals last month due to injury and was replaced for the final group game by Daria Kasatkina who was well beaten by Iga Swiatek but still picked up a handsome paycheck.
But it seems that the injury was more of a serious issue than just losing her other matches and she now won't return in the opening week. Of the big names, only Zheng Qinwen also won't play in the opening week.
She has decided instead though to get more rest so isn't injury related and was due to play United Cup. But now it is mainly Aryna Sabalenka and Emma Navarro that headline this line-up with Pegula now gone in terms of further star power.
With the truncated nature of warm-ups whether she plays before Melbourne is unknown and after such injury woes last season, she will hope that it won't be another start to the season to forget. As a result, Suzan Lamens from the Netherlands will take her place in the main draw.
Jessica Pegula has withdrawn from the Brisbane International due to a knee injury. As a result Suzan Lamens from the Netherlands will take her place in the main draw.
— Brisbane International (@BrisbaneTennis) December 26, 2024