Watson pulls out of Hobart International

British number one Heather Watson has withdrawn from next week's Moorilla Hobart International, raising doubts over her participation in the Australian Open.

The 20-year-old revealed she had suffered an elbow problem in Wednesday's loss to Kiki Bertens in the second round of the ASB Classic in Auckland.

She tweeted: "I injured my elbow yesterday in my singles match, unfortunately I have to withdraw from Hobart. Doing everything I can to get healthy."

Watson, who played doubles in Auckland after her singles defeat, faces a race against time to be fit for the first grand slam of the year, which begins on January 14 at Melbourne Park.