The Australian Open is just weeks away, with some players facing a race against time to be fit for the first major of 2026.
There are already some big name absences confirmed, with Jack Draper withdrawing from the Australian Open due to an ongoing arm injury.
Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka is also confirmed to miss the Australian Open, with the former world number one not playing in Melbourne for the first time in six years.
Both Draper and Azarenka revealed this before the 2026 season even started, but another highly praised ATP player has now also caused concern ahead of the Australian Open.
Joao Fonseca withdraws from the Brisbane International due to injury
Joao Fonseca had a breakout season in 2025, climbing from outside the top 140 to a year-end ranking of world number 24.
This included the Brazilian teenager winning two titles, with Fonseca predicted to win Grand Slams in the future.
There were no signs of any injury concerns in the off-season for Fonseca, who even played an exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz in Miami.
Fonseca was looking to continue his rise up the rankings at the Brisbane International, and had been spotted on site ahead of the tournament getting underway.
However, after being drawn for a first round match against last year’s runner-up Reilly Opelka, Fonseca was announced to have withdrawn from the Brisbane International.
The official reason given for Fonseca’s withdrawal is a back injury, with there now being concern for the Brazilian ahead of the Australian Open.
Where do you think Joao Fonseca will be ranked at the end of the 2026 season?
Will Joao Fonseca play a match ahead of the Australian Open?
Although he has withdrawn from the Brisbane International, Fonseca has also entered another tournament ahead of the Australian Open.
Fonseca is set to make his debut at the Adelaide International, where he will be the eighth seed.
This tournament will also feature Novak Djokovic, who will play his first match of 2026 in Adelaide as a defending champion.
Who will win the 2026 Australian Open?
Some of the other top seeds in Adelaide are Daniil Medvedev, Jiri Lehecka, Tommy Paul and Francisco Cerundolo.
It is still unclear how serious Fonseca’s back injury is, with just two weeks to go until the start of the Australian Open.
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