Brisbane (Australia), Dec 11 (DPA) The back pain which forced former number one Dinara Safina to quit a year-end match in tears after just 12 minutes will also keep the Russian from starting 2010 in Brisbane.
Officials said Friday that Safina had withdrawn from the Brisbane International, saying she will still not be fit for the January 3-10 event.
“Safina was very much looking forward to starting her year in Brisbane and it is a real shame that she will not be fit in time to attend,” said tournament director Steve Ayles.
“I know she would have been working around the clock to try to be ready for the event but in the end time has beat her and she is still undergoing treatment.”
Safina’s meltdown caused her to eventually lose the top WTA ranking at the Doha year-end tournament in October to Serena Williams.
The field at the first event of the new season remains strong with Belgian Justine Henin returning to the sport after nearly two years away and Kim Clijsters playing a Tour event for the first time since winning the US Open in September.
Also entered: former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic and Australian Jelena Dokic.
rounak