Current world number two Dinara Safina has postponed the start of her 2010 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tennis season.
The three-time Grand Slam finalist has pulled out of the Brisbane International because of a lingering back injury.
Brisbane International officials announced the news of Safina’s pull-out on Friday.
“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,” Tournament Director Steve Ayles said.
“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. We wish her well with her return to tennis and would welcome her back to the Brisbane International in 2011.”
Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Dokic are among the players expected to compete at the January 3-10 tournament in Australia.
I wonder how much of Dinara Safina’s back injury is due to the stress of not meeting her own expectations. She is likable.