Injured Jurgen Melzer pulls out of Australian Open

Vienna: Jurgen Melzer has pulled out of this month's Australian Open because of a persistent left shoulder injury.

The 27th-ranked Austrian underwent surgery on a torn tendon in October and needs more time to recover, the Austria Press Agency reports on Saturday.

Melzer hasn't played since losing to Kei Nishikori in the second round at Shanghai in early October.

Having risen as high as No. 8 in the rankings, Melzer's best result in Melbourne was reaching the fourth round three years ago. The Australian Open starts on Jan. 13.