MELBOURNE: Former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro on Saturday pulled out of the Australian Open as he continues to struggle with his recovery from knee surgery.

The 31-year-old Argentinian, who made the last eight at Melbourne Park in 2009 and 2012, has not played since slipping and hurting his knee on the grass in the Wimbledon tune-up at Queen’s in June.

“Our two-time quarter-finalist Juan Martin del Potro has withdrawn from Aus Open 2020 as he continues to recover from a knee injury,” the Australian Open tweeted.

“Wishing you all the best with your recovery. We hope to see you back in Australia soon.”

The injury-plagued Del Potro reached a career high of third in the world but has slipped down the rankings to 120.

The opening Grand Slam of the year gets under way on Jan 20.

Meanwhile, US Open champion Bianca Andreescu has also withdrawn from the Australian Open due to a knee injury she sustained at the end of last season.

“It was a very tough decision to make as I love to play in Melbourne but I have to respect the recuperation plan for my knee and body,” the 19-year-old Canadian tweeted.

“My rehab is going well, I feel better and stronger every day but after discussing it with my team and following the recommendation of the doctors, the Australian Open is unfortunately too soon in my rehab process.”

Andreescu, the world number six, injure her knee at the season-ending WTA Finals in Shenzhen, China, ending an amazing year for her.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2020