adminFormer world number three Nadia Petrova has withdrawn from next month’s Australian Open following the death of her mother in a car crash.Petrova’s mother, Nadezhda Illyina, was an athlete who won bronze in the 4x400m relay at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.
Fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko, world ranked 19, has pulled out with injury. Petrova’s withdrawal means 26-year-old Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova, who is ranked 108 in the world, moves into the main draw.
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray open the 2014 season in Abu Dhabi next tomorrow with Roger Federer hoping his absence isn’t an indicator of more misery ahead.
World number one Nadal provided the comeback story of 2013, winning 10 titles, including a record eighth French Open and a second US Open which took his majors haul to 13.
Djokovic defended his Australian Open crown while Murray claimed Britain’s first Wimbledon mens’ title in 77 years. But while the big three start their new campaigns with a leisurely three-day stroll in the Gulf, record 17-time major winner Federer begins his 17th season as a professional in Brisbane and with his career at a crossroads.
In 2013, the world number six failed to reach a Grand Slam final for the first time since 2002 and his second-round defeat at Wimbledon ended his run of 36 consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final appearances.
Federer will turn 33 in August but is acutely aware that his great hero, Pete Sampras, quit at 31 and at the top of his game, having secured a fifth US Open. – Sport24.
Online Reporter