World No. 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne has withdrawn from this month's Australian Open citing personal reasons, Tennis Australia said yesterday.
The 24-year-old Belgian initially announced her withdrawal from next week's lead-up Sydney International tournament, but Australian Open officials later confirmed she would also not be playing in the year's first Grand Slam tournament.
The officials said they had not been told of her reasons.
Henin-Hardenne is expected to release a statement today.
Sydney International tournament director Craig Watson said he was told her withdrawal was due to a personal concern.
"Obviously, we are very disappointed -- Justine is our defending champion and the world No. 1," Watson said.
"I believe she is quite upset and we certainly wish her the best and hope she is able to return to the courts very soon," he said.
In her absence, reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo of France will be the top seed for the Sydney tournament and the opening major tournament of the year.
Mauresmo won her first grand slam title last year when she defeated Henin-Hardenne in the Australian Open final.
Henin-Hardenne controversially retired injured midway through the final, handing the title to the Frenchwoman.
The Belgian reached all four grand slam finals last year, but the only won the French Open.
Meanwhile, Australians Chris Guccione and Sophie Ferguson yesterday received main draw wildcards into the Australian Open, organizers said.
Ferguson, who defeated Japan's world No. 26 Ai Sugiyama in this week's Australian hardcourt championships on the Gold Coast, is ranked 184 and made the second round of the 2005 Australian Open.
Guccione defeated the higher-ranked Max Mirnyi in the Davis Cup quarter-final in Melbourne last year and beat George Bastl in the decisive fifth rubber for Australia to defeat Switzerland in Geneva in the following round.
The Australian Open awards eight wildcards in both the men's and women's draws.
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