Cameron Norrie pulls out of ASB Classic with wrist injury on eve of Australian Open

Cameron Norrie is the latest British player to suffer an injury scare on the eve of the Australian Open after the British No1 pulled out of the ASB Classic.

Norrie had made his season debut in the city where he grew up, Auckland, on Wednesday, fending off a fighting back from highly rated French teenager Luca van Assche to win 6-3, 6-7, 6-1.

Norrie had been due back on court on Thursday against Alejandro Tabilo at an event where he was runner-up a year ago.

But a statement from tournament organisers said: “The ASB Classic confirm that Cam Norrie has been forced to make the decision to withdraw from the ASB Classic due to a wrist injury.

“We wish Cam all the best with his recovery and hope to see him back out on the court in the not too distant future.”

Norrie’s team played down the severity of the issue, insisting his withdrawal was merely a precaution just ahead of the first grand slam of the year.

It comes just 24 hours after Emma Raducanu, who is returning to the tour after more than eight months out following triple surgery, pulled out of a second straight exhibition match in Melbourne.

Like Norrie, the understanding is it is only a precautionary measure at this stage as she plots her full-time return to competitive tennis.

And the Briton practised in Melbourne on Thursday - both indoors and outdoors - for two hours with no signs of any particular discomfort.