Defending champion Andre Agassi has been forced to pull out of this year's Australian Open with a wrist injury he fears could end his career. Agassi will not participate in the first Grand Slam event of the new season after picking up the injury during the final of the Commonwealth Bank International at nearby Kooyong on Saturday, which he lost 7-6 6-7 6-3 to Pete Sampras, and is concerned what it means for his long-term future.
"It started early in my match against Pete Sampras and it progressively got worse," said Agassi at a press conference to announce his decision to withdraw from the Australian Open. "I had surgery on this in 1993 and I knew what was wrong. The pain was bad and very familiar and it's a question right now of getting back home and getting to the bottom of it."
"It's related to wear and tear in the wrist, like haemorrhaging scar tissue. There's a long-term concern. I'm worried it is career-threatening, especially at my age. I felt it come on with a number of strikes at the ball but I cannot pinpoint any one shot. But it is particularly painful on a high forehand and hopefully by treating it immediately I can get through it," he explained.
The 31-year-old third seed was hoping to become the first person since Roy Emerson in 1965 to win three Australian Opens in a row after he defeated Yevgeny Kafelnikov in 2000 and overcame Arnaud Clement last year. However, his withdrawal will have a definite impact on the outcome of this year's event and it looks like Sampras will be the main beneficiary as the pair were scheduled to meet in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, the women's competition has also lost one of its biggest stars as fifth see Serena Williams has also been forced to pull out of the event. Williams twisted her ankle in the semi-final of the adidas International in Sydney last Friday against fellow American Meghann Shaughnessy and was forced to retire from that tie. Williams was due to play former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez today but appealed for an extra day for treatment on the injury. However, her request was not granted and so the younger of the two Williams sisters was forced to withdraw. Also out is French star Mary Pierce, who lasted only 18 minutes against American Jill Craybas before quitting with shoulder trouble.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
