The Australian Open has almost arrived, with many players playing this week in a bid to fully prepare for the Grand Slam.
On the ATP Tour, the Adelaide International and ASB Classic are currently underway, following events in Brisbane and Hong Kong.
And on the WTA Tour, the Adelaide International and the Hobart International offer final chances for Australian Open preparation.
Both WTA tournaments include high-quality fields, but a two-time Grand Slam champion has suffered a nightmare at the latter.
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Barbora Krejcikova receives medical timeout in Hobart loss
Barbora Krejcikova, who has two Grand Slam titles to her name, took on Peyton Stearns in her opening match in Hobart.
The Czech ace, who won the French Open in 2021 and Wimbledon in 2024, was beaten 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(3) by the American.
But more worrying was the knee trouble she experienced in the two-hour, 32-minute match, during which she received a medical timeout.
Krejcikova confirmed her knee was improving during her time at the United Cup, but this is a real scare for the 30-year-old.
She missed the 2025 Australian Open, having been forced to withdraw from the hard-court event with a back injury.
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Barbora Krejcikova has enjoyed superb Australian Open success
The issue unfortunately arrives just ahead of the Australian Open, a tournament at which Krejcikova has enjoyed plenty of success.
Along with her two Grand Slam singles titles, she is a seven-time doubles champion and three-time mixed doubles champion.
Two of her doubles titles have arrived at the Australian Open, along with all three of her mixed doubles titles.
| Result | Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponents | Score |
| Win | 2019 | Australian Open | Rajeev Ram | Astra Sharma, John-Patrick Smith | 7–6(7–3), 6–1 |
| Win | 2020 | Australian Open | Nikola Mektic | Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Jamie Murray | 5–7, 6–4, [10–1] |
| Win | 2021 | Australian Open | Rajeev Ram | Samantha Stosur, Matthew Ebden | 6–1, 6–4 |
But singles success has proven difficult for the 30-year-old, who has reached the quarterfinals twice but no further.
Notably, Krejcikova wasn’t the only multiple Grand Slam champion to suffer an early exit at the Hobart International.
Legendary WTA figure Venus Williams also lost her opening match of the WTA 250 event, falling 6-4, 6-3 to Tatjana Maria.
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