World No.2 Iga Swiatek conceded she “wasn’t fresh” after finishing the United Cup in tears but dispelled fears she might not be fit for the Australian Open.

However another big name will miss the year’s first grand slam, with reigning Wimbledon champ Barbora Krejcikova pulling out due to a back injury

Krejcikova, who is ranked No.10 in the world, confirmed on social media the injury which first flared last year and hindered her at the season-ending WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia in November had forced her hand.

“I wanted to share a quick update regarding my withdrawal from the Australian Open,” Krejcikova posted on X.

“Unfortunately, my back injury, which troubled me at the end of last season, is still not fully healed.

“It’s disappointing because I love playing in Melbourne and have such great memories from reaching the quarter-finals last year … I’m working hard to get back to full health.

Swiatek, who was playing her first event since serving a one-month doping ban after the WTA finals in early November, needed a medical time-out late in a 6-4 6-4 defeat to US star Coco Gauff in Sunday’s final in Sydney.

The five-time grand slam winner star admitted she’d needed treatment for a different issue to the left thigh problem that required taping in the semi-final and finished the match walking gingerly.

But two weeks out from the start of the first grand slam of the year, Swiatek said she was “just tired” and would head to Melbourne ready to ramp up her preparation, adamant there was no injury concern.

“For sure, I wasn’t fresh today, but I’ll be good,” she said having played five singles matches and two mixed doubles in the space of seven days.

“Nothing happened really, like I was just tired.

“At the beginning of the tournament especially has been pretty big but, honestly, it’s all good.

“I’m for sure happy because I played some heavy hitters as well this week and also some girls that played topspin, and I was able to against both (styles) really great tennis.”

Swiatek, who has never made the final in six Australian Open attempts, said she “wasn’t able to give 100 per cent” in the final but took positives from her week in Sydney.

“But I’m really happy with the week and I feel like the things I worked on really improve,” she said.

“But, on the other hand, this week before the Australian Open is a different story, so I’m going to do everything step by step and continue the work that I’ve been doing.”