• Brisbane International

Del Potro and Cilic doubtful for Australian Open

ESPN staff
January 1, 2015
Juan Martin del Potro has been off the ATP Tour since undergoing surgery in March © Getty Images
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Juan Martin del Potro is a doubt for this month's Australian Open after withdrawing from the Brisbane International with a left wrist injury.

Del Potro joins fellow US Open champion Marin Cilic on the sidelines, who announced his withdrawal on Tuesday after suffering a right shoulder injury.

Del Potro has been off the tour since undergoing surgery in March, but had targeted Brisbane as his return. The withdrawal also means he is unlikely to defend the Sydney International title he won last year.

Tournament director Cameron Pearson said world No.9 Cilic had "lost his race against time to regain full fitness".

There was no indication whether the injury would affect the Croatian's chances of playing at the Australian Open, beginning on January 19 in Melbourne.

Cilic, who has had the injury for the past six months, defeated Roger Federer and Kei Nishikori to win his first Grand Slam title in New York in September. He withdrew from several tournaments later in the season before winning the Kremlin Cup in Moscow in October.

Federer, Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori and defending Lleyton Hewitt are playing in the men's event at Brisbane, while Victoria Azarenka and Sam Stosur are among those in the women's draw.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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