Davenport withdraws from Australian Open

World number one Lindsay Davenport of the United States has withdrawn from next week's Australian Open, tournament officials said on Tuesday.

Davenport, Australian Open champion in 2000, pulled out because of a recurring knee injury she suffered last November.

Australian Open tournament director Paul McNamee said it was a bitter blow for Davenport to have to withdraw from the first grand slam event of the year.

"It must be really disappointing for Lindsay to begin her 2002 season this way particularly due to her history of success here at the Australian Open," McNamee said.