Azarenka withdraws from Australian Open amid ongoing custody battle

Two-time champion and former world No1 Victoria Azarenka has withdrawn from the Australian Open.

Azarenka had been in extreme doubt after pulling out of last week’s Auckland Classic amid an ongoing custody battle with her former partner over their son Leo.

The US-based Belarusian hasn’t played since Wimbledon because she can’t leave California with her son until the custody dispute is resolved.

“It’s unfortunate that ‘Vika’ is unable to travel to Australia this year. The Australian Open is her favourite tournament and she’s looking forward to returning to Melbourne next year,” Open tournament director Craig Tiley said.

Her scratching has opened the door for Australian Ajla Tomljanovic to replace the Belarusian with a wildcard entry to the season’s first grand slam event starting next Monday.

Tomljanovic is enjoying a strong comeback from shoulder surgery, and has soared from 930 in the rankings at the end of 2016 to No108 in the world. She last week reached the second round of the Brisbane International with a commanding win over highly-rated Australian teenager Destanee Aiava.

The 24-year-old Tomljanovic joins fellow Australians Ashleigh Barty, Daria Gavrilova, Samantha Stosur, Arina Rodionova, Jaimee Fourlis, Olivia Rogowska, Kimberly Birrell and Aiava in the main draw of the season’s first grand slam, starting next Monday in Melbourne.

Azarenka is one of a number of big names to have withdrawn from the grand slam, including new mother Serena Williams and Andy Murray.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic remain in doubt for the event.

(GUARDIAN)