Marin Cilic Withdraws From The Australian Open

US Open champion Marin Cilic officially withdrew his name from the Australian Open. The Croatian has been struggling with a right shoulder injury for six months now.

“I am really disappointed to announce that I had to withdraw from the Australian Open,” Cilic wrote on his website. “Right shoulder injury, that hampers me for some time now and forced me to withdraw from the ATP event in Brisbane, is improving day by day, but I still don’t feel fit enough to be able to compete at the highest level.

“I am really sad that I won’t be able to participate in Melbourne, especially after winning the last Grand Slam in New York, but I was advised by doctors to be careful as much as possible to avoid even more serious problems.

“I have received lots of support letters from my fans worldwide lately and I am grateful for your support and best wishes. I was really looking forward to be back on court in Australia and now I hope we will meet very soon in Zagreb.”

The 9th-ranked Cilic joins Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Lukas Rosol as seeds not playing in the first Grand Slam of the tennis season. The 26-year-old made the Australian Open semifinals in 2010. He also missed the event in 2012.