Former world number one Monica Seles has pulled out of the Australian Open tournament for "personal reasons".

The announcement is a further blow to organisers of the year's first Grand Slam after German Steffi Graf also said she would not not be playing.

Out - Steffi Graf

Seles, 24, a Yugoslav-born American, has won the tournament four times and has never lost a singles match in Australia.

Australian Open tournament director Paul McNamee failed to shed any light on her withdrawal.

He could not confirm whether it was connected to the health of her father and coach Karolj, who has been suffering from stomach cancer.

"I don't want to speculate," said McNamee. "But I am disappointed that Monica won't be playing.

"She's a four-time former champion and a great friend of the tournament and Australia."

Out - Mary Joe Fernandez

Former runner-up Mary Joe Fernandez of America has also ruled herself out of this month's tournament.

And the men's competition has lost a key player in former French Open champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia.

He is out for the second successive year after withdrawing with a knee injury.

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