Devvarman has been bothered by his shoulder since last August and he also withdrew from the Chennai Open last week due to the same reason.
The Indian is currently ranked 85th in the ATP world rankings, down from no. 62 in July last year. Devvarman was hoping to play in Melbourne as he attempts to improve his ranking and make the cut-off for the Olympics.
Devvarman is the latest in a series of withdrawals that have hit the first Slam event of 2012 days before it has started.
Among the men, former world no. 5 Robin Soderling, Spain’s Tommy Robredo, Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez have pulled out.
On the women’s side, another big name withdrew on Wednesday. World no. 10 Andrea Petkovic pulled out of Melbourne with a stress fracture in her lower back – an injury that will keep her out for 6 to 8 weeks and which will also force her to miss the Fed Cup tie next month for Germany.
Petkovic has become one of the most popular names in the game after her Petkorazzi videos and Petko dances – going along to match her recent success on the court. The German reached the quarter-finals at a Slam event thrice in 2011.
Petkovic joins Venus Wiliams and Alisa Kleybanova who are already out.
Several other top platyers such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, Milos Roanic. Sabine Lisicki and Kim Clijsters are also facing injury worries heading into Melbourne.
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