Juan Martin del Potro has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to a recurrence of the wrist injury that sidelined the former US Open champion for 11 months.

The former world No.4’s ranking has slumped to 276 but he returned to the court in last week’s Sydney International where he reached the quarter-finals and was confident of competing in the opening grand slam of 2015.

But the Argentine, who was due to face Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz in the opening round at Melbourne Park, said he was still feeling the effects of the injury, which required surgery in March.

“I have to be smart. I’m looking forward to my future and my career,” he said.

“I’m still positive. I want to play tennis. But I don’t want to put my body and wrist at risk.”