PERTH, Australia, Dec 30, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Japanese star Kei Nishikori
pulled out of the inaugural ATP Cup Monday as he continues to struggle with
an elbow injury that has kept him out since the US Open.
The former world number four, who has slipped to 13, said he was
disappointed not to be representing his country in Perth at the team event
starting on January 3.
“Today, together with my team, we have made this decision as I am still not
100 percent ready to compete at the highest level,” he said in a statement.
Nishikori’s elbow needed surgery in October and it is unclear whether he
will be fit for the Australian Open when the first Grand Slam of the year
begins at Melbourne Park on January 20.
Yoshihito Nishioka will replace him as the top-ranked player in Japan’s ATP
Cup team.
Yasutaka Uchiyama also withdrew from the event earlier this week, with
Toshihide Matsui taking his place.
Nishikori’s absence is another blow for event after Britain’s Andy Murray
pules out over the weekend with a pelvic injury and Roger Federer opted to
give it a miss.
The innovative team championship, from January 3-12, offers $15 million in
prize money and a maximum of 750 singles and 250 doubles ATP rankings points.
It will see 24 nations split into six groups, with eight teams emerging
from the round-robin stage to compete in the knockout phase.
Sydney will host the finals, along with group games which will also be held
in Brisbane and Perth.