Asian No. 1 Kei Nishikori Withdraws From Australian Open

A right wrist injury has put an end to the hopes of Asia’s top player of participation in his “home” Slam after 29-year-old Kei Nishikori withdrew from the Australia Open last night.

“I am very sorry to announce that I will miss the Aussie Open this year,” said Nishikori. “The Aussie Open is my favorite Slam.

“It’s the Slam that takes incredible care of the players and their teams, and it hurts that I will have to miss it this year.

“My rehab is going well but I am just not ready 100% to come back yet in best of five set matches.”

His agent, Olivier Van Lindonk, added more.

“Kei’s progress is going really well.

“He is continuing to improve every week (as the medical team predicted) and we are happy with the progress.

“Last week was the best week so far and he practiced twice a day, four days in a row.

“The team carefully evaluated Kei coming back in Melbourne.

“However, coming back in a best of five-set match situation just doesn’t seem to make sense at this stage in his comeback.”

A 3-time quarterfinalist in Australia, Nishikori hasn’t played since the Canadian Open. He had participated in Melbourne the last seven years.