By Alberto Amalfi | Saturday, January 10, 2015

Marin Cilic won't be making the trip to Melbourne. The U.S. Open champion has withdrawn from this month's Australian Open with a right shoulder injury.

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The ninth-ranked Croatian announced his withdrawal on his website.

"I am really disappointed to announce that I had to withdraw from the Australian Open," Cilic said. "Right shoulder injury, that hampers me for some time now and forced me to withdraw from the ATP event in Brisbane, is improving day by day, but I still don't feel fit enough to be able to compete at the highest level.

"I am really sad that I won't be able to participate in Melbourne, especially after winning the last Grand Slam in New York, but I was advised by doctors to be careful as much as possible to avoid even more serious problems."

Cilic joins former Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in pulling out of the season's first Grand Slam. Tsonga withdrew last week with a forearm injury.

Cilic posted a 54-21 record with four titles last season. He lost to Gilles Simon in five sets in the second round of the 2014 Australian Open. Cilic's best Australian Open result came with a 2010 semifinal appearance that featured victories over Bernard Tomic, Stan Wawrinka, Juan Martin del Potro and Andy Roddick.