Tennis star banks £40K after pulling out before Australian Open starts | Tennis | Sport
Arthur Cazaux has withdrawn from the Australian Open just a day before the tournament starts. The World No. 67, however, will still earn around £37,000, as players who withdraw after the main draw is made still receive half of the £75,000 first-round prize money.
Alexander Blockx is the lucky loser who will replace Cazaux and is now in line to play Jaime Faria on Sunday. Blockx lost to Jason Kubler in qualifying, after retiring clutching his shoulder during their match; however, he seems ready to replace Cazaux after all. Blockx has posted on Instagram: “Down but not out yet. Main draw slam debut tomorrow.”
Cazaux has also shared a statement on social media. He said: “A small tear in the tendon of my right elbow appeared during the Brisbane tournament at the beginning of the month, and it had already troubled me a lot last year.”
The former World No. 58 retired midway through the first set of his second qualifier at the Brisbane International against Pablo Carreno, a day after Cazaux beat Martin Landaluce in straight sets. The post continued: “I did everything possible to be able to play in Melbourne, but it’s just too tight.”
“Naturally, I’m very disappointed not to be able to take part in one of the biggest tournaments of the season, especially since it’s a place that means a lot to me and where I have great memories. But the priority now is to recover so I can get back on court, keep improving, and give it my all once again.”
2024 was also his debut in Melbourne after the Frenchman received a wildcard while ranked No. 122 in the world. Cazaux then beat Laslo Djere, his first win at a major.
In the next round, he surprisingly won against World No. 6 Holger Rune in four sets. That remains his only win over a top-10 player, as he has lost his other three.
Cazaux then beat 28-seed Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets before eventually falling to Hubert Hurkacz in the fourth round. That moved Cazaux into the top 85 of the world rankings.
