Karolina Muchova's wrist injury hell continues, withdraws from 2024 Australian Open

French Open finalist and US Open semi-finalist in 2023, Karolina Muchova had one of the best years of her career, but won't start the 2024 season at the Australian Open announcing her early withdrawal even before the New Year begins.

Muchova has been out since her run to the semi-finals of Flushing Meadows where she lost 4-6, 5-7 to eventual champion, Coco Gauff with a wrist injury being the root cause even now of her issues with a setback confirmed by the 27-year-old in her pre-season preparation. Signs were there fairly early with withdrawal weeks before Brisbane next week. She has tried to return both during the Chinese swing and also the WTA Finals but failed to do so. The latter in particular saw Maria Sakkari replace her with Muchova unable to reap the rewards of her best year.

Now it is very much likely that similar to Bianca Andreescu and also potentially her compatriot, Petra Kvitova who has since entered the Australian Open, but has not picked up a racquet in some weeks, she will aim for Indian Wells and Miami as a landing spot for her return.

“This isn't my favorite thing to share especially at the start of a new season, but unfortunately the pain in the wrist came back in the middle of my tennis preparation. I therefore have to postpone the start of the season & fully heal my wrist first. It's frustrating but I have to keep positive, recover & get ready for the rest of the year," she wrote on Instagram.

Somewhat thankfully for Muchova, her ranking points won't take too much of a hit with only a run to the second round of the Australian Open last year. Only one of two majors she failed to reach the final week last season. It also gives Emma Raducanu a potential boost in her hunt for a main draw spot leaving only two spots now between her and not playing qualifying.