Twice former champion Jennifer Capriati [ Images ] has withdrawn from next week's Australian Open [ Images ] because of an injury to her right shoulder, organisers said on Wednesday.

The American, winner at Melbourne [ Images ] Park in 2001 and 2002, had previously pulled out of this week's Sydney [ Images ] International, having earlier been forced to miss an exhibition match with Wimbledon [ Images ] champion Maria Sharapova [ Images ] on December 17.

The news is a major blow to Australian Open organisers, who were already without injured Belgians Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters [ Images ], last year's champion and runner-up.

The year's first Grand Slam starts on Monday.