Two-time grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova has admitted that she is unlikely to be fit in time for the Australian Open after undergoing wrist surgery.
The former world No.2 has been dodged by wrist problems in recent months. Since the US Open, she has only managed to win just one out of four matches on the tour. Ending her season after losing her opening match at the China Open in Beijing. On November 4th, Kuznetsova wrote on her Instagram account that her wrist surgery ‘went very well.’
“I had to do a small surgery on my left wrist, which has been causing me some pain during the last few months. It went very well and I should be completely ok and ready to go in a few weeks.“ She wrote.
Providing another update on her recovery, the world No.12 confirmed that she is yet to resume training and will likely miss the first grand slam of 2018. The 32-year-old has played in the Melbourne main draw for 16 consecutive times and hasn’t been absent since 2001.
“I had two injuries in my wrist, so I had to do the operation,” She told Sport Express. “There’s a very complicated diagnosis. I’m still recovering and the doctor does not talk about specific dates when I can start training and play. Australia, most likely, I will have to miss.”
At this year’s US Open, Kuznetsova made her 60th appearance in the main draw of a grand slam. Overall, the Russian has played 210 matches and has won 158 of those. Since 2003, she has only missed a major event twice. The 2012 US Open due to a knee injury and the 2013 Wimbledon championships due to an abdominal strain.
Doubts have also been cast on Kuznetsova’s appearance in the St. Petersburg Open, which will start on January 29th. According to Sport Express, she currently has ‘no answer’ as to if she will be able to play in the tournament.
Kuznetsova closes out the year without a tour title for the first time since 2013. Winning 32 out of 49 matches played. Still, she has ended the season in the top 20 for the ninth time in her career.
