The former Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has pulled out of this month's competition in Melbourne citing an arm injury.
French tennis player Jo Wilfried Tsonga Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The 29-year-old Frenchman, runner up in 2008 to Novak Djokovic, posted a photograph of himself on Twitter showing his right arm in a brace.
"It's with a big disappointment that I have to postpone today the start of my season," Tsonga said.
"I'm still suffering from a forearm inflammation (intersection syndrome) and that prevents me being at 100 percent of my capacities in a competition."
"I'm going to receive over three weeks all the needed treatments to be able to be back on track in the best conditions."
Tsonga, who withdrew from this week's Hopman Cup, hurt his arm playing for France in the Davis Cup final but appeared at the inaugural International Premier Tennis League in December.