World number one Lleyton Hewitt has been hit by chickenpox just 11 days before the start of the Australian Open.
The 20-year-old has withdrawn from the Hopman Cup in Perth after extensive tests revealed he has the virus.
Hewitt is due to be the top seed at the first Grand Slam tournament of the year at Melbourne Park from January 14th to 27th.
Hewitt was seen by Hopman Cup tournament doctor Peter Steele and infectious diseases specialist Miles Beamon yesterday.
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Early test results released this morning suggested he did not have chickenpox but later results proved positive.
Hewitt's girlfriend - women's world number five Kim Clijsters - does not have the disease, having already suffered from it as a child, officials said.