Tennis

Canada's Vasek Pospisil withdraws from Australian Open

Canada's Vasek Pospisil has dropped out of the Australian Open because of a back injury. The native of Vernon, B.C., who is ranked 70th in the world, hasn't played since October.

Vernon, B.C. native to miss opening grand slam of the year with a back injury

Vasek Pospisil, pictured here at the 2018 US Open, has yet to fully recover from the back injury he sustained last October. (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Canada's Vasek Pospisil has dropped out of the Australian Open because of a back injury.

"Very sad to have to withdraw from the Australian Open today," the 28-year-old Pospisil tweeted. "Unfortunately I have yet to fully recover from the back injury I sustained in October. Hope to be back soon."

Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., and Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., are the two remaining Canadians in the main men's singles draw for the Australian Open.

The first Grand Slam of the season begins Jan. 14.