The 35-year-old Tsonga has not played since withdrawing from his losing match to Australian Alexei Popyrin in the first round at Melbourne Park last January.
“Despite great progress in recent months, I am still unable to compete, according to the medical team,” wrote the Frenchman, who was a finalist for Australia 2008, in a post on social media.
Tsonga, who ranks 33rd in the ATP rankings, admitted: “I really want to go back to a tennis court, but I have to be patient … Even if I don’t go to Australia this year it breaks my heart.”
The first Grand Slam of 2021 was delayed for three weeks (to start on February 8) due to strict Australian border regulations to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
Earlier this week, six-time champion Roger Federer, 39, also announced his absence from the Australian Open.
SOURCE: Télam News Agency
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