Canberra International top seed Jason Kubler has withdrawn on the eve of the tournament after an existing knee injury resurfaced on Monday.
The former Australian tennis prodigy was once dubbed the right-handed Rafael Nadal after becoming the world No. 1 boys player.
Jason Kubler has withdrawn injured from the Canberra International.
Recurring knee problems threatened to derail Kubler's career but playing mostly on clay he worked his way back to the full tour and enjoyed a breakout season this year.
Just 12 months after Kubler was battling at world No. 921 the Queenslander arrived in Canberra on the weekend at a career-best world No. 91.
He has been nominated for ATP comeback player of the year alongside world No. 2 Novak Djokovic and No.11 Kei Nishikori of Japan.
But it will be back to rehab for the 25-year-old as he prepares to get himself right for the Australian Open. Kubler has been replaced in the draw by lucky loser Tung-Lin Wu.
World No. 288 Kimberly Birrell will open her Canberra International campaign in career-best form after claiming her first ITF title at the Darwin International last month.
Birrell will face fifth seed Jaimee Fourlis in a tough first-round fixture but the 20-year-old is confident she can progress.
"I had a really good week in Darwin, probably the best of my career so that was really exciting and you know it’s a completely different tournament here, different conditions, but I'm definitely going to use the confidence I gained there and bring it into this week," Birrell said.
Canberra International No. 1 seed Irina Ramialison in action on Monday.
Credit:Jamila Toderas
"Confidence is massive, you can see it all levels, when someone is feeling confident in themselves and their game it really shows in the way they play.
"You don’t always feel confident every single time you step out on the court but having weeks were you have it to the end it definitely goes a long way."
Birrell made the semi-finals in Canberra as a teenager three years ago and wants to go one step further this week.
"This is my third time playing in Canberra. I had a couple of years break with elbow surgery so it's really exciting to be back," Birrell said.
"I had one of my best results here when I was 17 so I have really good memories and I have family that live here. I feel a special connection to Canberra.
"It’s such a cool time of year for Aussie tennis players, it just kind of depends how the cards fall but I'm just trying really hard to get my ranking up to play at the Brisbane International and Aussie Open."
Play begins at the Canberra Tennis Centre each day from 10am. Entry is free.
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