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Garbine Muguruza withdrawal places doubt on Australian Open run

By Harry Floyd

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 02: Garbine Muguruza of Spain is injured in her match against Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia during day three of the 2018 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 2, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 02: Garbine Muguruza of Spain is injured in her match against Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia during day three of the 2018 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 2, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images) /
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Garbine Muguruza is a former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion. Is she ready to make a run at the upcoming Australian Open?

Garbine Muguruza enters Melbourne Park as the third seed on the women’s singles side. Her opening round match Sunday sees her up against 21-year-old French tennis player Jessika Ponchet.

The Spanish tennis star, however, has withdrawn from play at the Sydney International due to a thigh injury. She was into the quarterfinals after defeating Kiki Bertens 6-3 7-6 (8-6). Now, all eyes are on the world No. 3 as she readies herself for the Australian Open.

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Coming into this week, Muguruza had to be considered a top contender for the title at Melbourne Park. Having one each of her two Grand Slams in the previous two years, she is poised to remain amongst the best in women’s singles tennis. The thigh injury, however, throws a wrench into things slightly.

All eyes will be on Garbine Muguruza during her opening match at Melbourne Park.

The Spanish tennis star has been dealing with pain in her right abductor since last week. She felt the injury coming on during practice sessions.

Hopeful that she could adapt to the injury, Muguruza did as best she could in Sydney. With the Australian Open just days away though, any and all rest or rehabbing that needs to be done if far more important right now than play in Sydney. Elsewhere at the WTA Tour event this week, Angelique Kerber is already into the semifinals. She has seen an excellent start to her 2018 WTA Tour. Muguruza, on the other hand, will need to prove that she is healthy enough to make a deep run this coming week.

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Look for Garbine Muguruza to remain a heavy favorite at the Australian Open. If the thigh injury is something that she can work through, she ought to find her rhythm after play on Sunday. At the moment, the injury does not appear to be serious. After consulting with WTA doctors and her team, Muguruza made the decision to withdraw from the Sydney International. It must be assumed that she is doing what she thinks she needs to before Australian Open action kicks off this weekend. Stay tuned to see how the world No. 3 fares overs the opening weekend in Melbourne Park. Though the injury is not serious, her opening match against Ponchet now brings with it much more pressure.

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