Australian Open 2017: South Africa's Kevin Anderson withdraws after failing to recover from injury

Paris: South Africa`s Kevin Anderson withdrew from the Australian Open on Sunday after failing to recover from injury, the 30-year-old announced on Twitter.

Anderson, a former world number 10 who is now down at 67 after suffering ankle and shoulder injuries in 2016, hasn`t played since October, when he lost in the first round at Vienna.

"Unfortunately I have just made the very tough decision to withdraw from the Australian Open. I am really sad to miss one of my favourite events each season," wrote the 2.03m (6ft 8in) player who is South Africa`s only player in the top 100.

"I am still recovering from an injury sustained last year but things are looking much better and I will be back in competition soon."

Anderson reached the fourth round of the Australian Open in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

The season`s first Grand Slam event of 2017 gets under way in Melbourne on January 16.