By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, January 4, 2024
A sore shoulder has knocked Madison Keys out of the Australian Open.
Two-time AO semifinalist Keys announced her withdrawal from the Melbourne major on Instagram tonight.
More: Richard Evans on HOF, GOAT and Top Rivalries
"Unfortunately I’ve been struggling with a shoulder injury and have been advised by my medical staff to withdraw from the Australian Open this year," Keys posted on Instagram. "This obviously isn’t the best news to start the tennis season, but I also know I’m making the right choice for my body to take the proper time and let it heal.
"I absolutely love Melbourne and the fans there SO much and can’t wait to see you next year."
The Australian Open starts on January 14th. Keys reaced the Australian Open semifinals in 2015 and again in 2022. She lost to Victoria Azarenka in the 2023 AO third round.
World No. 13 Keys is coming off successive successful major performances.
Keys backed up her run to the 2023 Wimbledon quarterfinals by reaching the US Open semifinals last September.
The 2023 season was a momentous one for Keys, who captured her seventh career title on the grass at Eastbourne.
Keys pushed world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka three sets bowing 7-6 in the third set of the US Open semifinals.
The 28-year-old Keys shared some photos of her engagement to long-time partner and coach Bjorn Fratangelo, an ATP pro on Instagram.
Photo credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty