Melzer out of Australian Open tennis

A shoulder injury suffered in October will keep Austrian tennis player Jurgen Melzer, ranked 27th in the world, out of this month's Australian Open.

A shoulder injury will keep Austria's Jurgen Melzer out of this month's Australian Open. (AAP)

Austria's world number 27 Jurgen Melzer on Saturday withdrew from the Australian Open with a shoulder injury.

"Unfortunately I have to withdraw from this year's Australian Open due to my ongoing left shoulder problems. I will be back next year," tweeted the 32-year-old.

"I will miss one of my favorite tournaments and its top class fans!"

Melzer has not played since a second round loss to Japan's Kei Nishikori at the Shanghai Masters in October.

The Australian Open, the first grand slam tournament of the year, gets underway in Melbourne on January 13.