Russia's Nadia Petrova has withdrawn from the 2014 Australian Open as she continues to grieve for the untimely death of her mother, Nadezhda Ilyina, who died in a car accident near Moscow on Dec. 7.
Ilyina was also a famous Russian athlete, winning a bronze medal in the 4x400 meter relay for the Soviet Union at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, and setting the world record in the individual 400 meter dash indoors.
The Australian Open announced the withdrawal by Twitter on Monday, saying, "Our condolences to Nadia Petrova, who's withdrawn from Ausopen following the tragic loss of her mother."
The 64-year-old Ilyina helped Petrova in her fitness training, although never served in a coaching capacity. The 31-year-old Petrova has won 13 singles titles in her career. She reached No. 3 in the world in singles in 2006.