Tennis: Teeth, ankle keeps Erakovic at home

New Zealand's leading tennis player Marina Erakovic has pulled out of an ITF tournament in Dubai this month because of an ankle injury and teeth issues.

After having four wisdom teeth removed last week and sustaining an ankle injury, Erakovic said she needed a rest period in the leadup to next month's ASB Classic in Auckland and the subsequent Australian Open in Melbourne.

"My body just wasn't ready so I decided to stay at home and have a complete recovery before I try anything," Erakovic told Radio Sport.

The world No 60 will concentrate mostly on fitness prior to Christmas but hoped to be back fully training two weeks out from the ASB Classic starting on January 5.

Erakovic reached the semifinals of this year's tournament, beating top-ranked Russian Vera Zvonerava along the way, which kick-started an outstanding 2008.

- NZPA