Sydney, AUSTRALIA, January 14, 2004 (AP) - Jelena Dokic will miss the Australian Open for a third consecutive year after informing organizers
Wednesday that she wasn't prepared for the season's first Grand Slam
event.
Three former champions, defending titlist Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati (2001 and 2002), and Mary Pierce (1995), have pulled out in the last week citing injuries.
Monica Seles, a four-time champion in Australia, will miss the
tournament due to a foot injury that has sidelined her since the last
French Open. Second-ranked Kim Clijsters' entry is in
doubt because of an ankle problem.
Dokic, who was ranked as high as No. 4 in the world in 2002, hasn't
played at the Australian Open since losing in the first round to Lindsay Davenport in 2001 and leaving Australia amid claims by her father,
Damir, that the draw at Melbourne Park was rigged.
"I'm really disappointed not to be able to make the trip down to
Melbourne ... I was really looking forward to playing there for the first
time in three years," Dokic said in a statement released by Australian
Open organizers.
"Above all I'm most disappointed for the fans as it was one of my main
goals the last couple of months to play there and try and get my ranking
back into the Top 10."
Dokic, 20, said she'd been training well in the last month and, despite "a
setback or two," had been hoping to play in Australia.
"Unfortunately my game is not where it needs to be to compete at the
highest level and feel I definitely would not be able to do myself justice in
such a major event, but I can assure you that I will do my best to be
there next year."
Tournament Director Paul McNamee said the absence of Dokic was a
disappointment.
"We certainly look forward to seeing her back here in the future," he
said.
The Australian Open draw will be held Friday and the tournament starts
Monday.
