Sydney: The first Grand Slam tournament of the year – the Australian Open tennis tournament suffered a huge jolt with former World No.1 Andy Murray as well as former top 10 player Kei Nishikori pulling out of the event, Thursday after having failed to recover from their respective injuries.
Meanwhile Novak Djokovic, a six-time winner of the men’s singles crown at the Melbourne Park, said that he will confirm his participation at the event only after assessing his elbow condition after playing two exhibition events in Australia next week.
Murray said that he hasn’t recovered from the hip injury he suffered at Wimbledon last year. “Sadly I won’t be playing in Melbourne this year, as I am not yet ready to compete,” Murray said in a statement. Australian Open’s tournament director Craig Tiley said he respected what was a ‘very hard decision for Andy’.
Asian No.1 Nishikori, who has not played competitively since last August after suffering a torn tendon in his right wrist during a practice session at Cincinnati, said that he is not 100 per cent yet.
“I am very sorry to announce that I will miss the Australian Open this year,” Nishikori he said on his website. “My rehab is going well but I am just not ready 100% to come back yet in best of five set matches and the gruelling Grand Slam schedule.”
Djokovic also announced his intentions on his website. “Novak is travelling to Australia where he will take part in two exhibition tournaments,” said a statement. “After the two events, the decision will be made about his participation at the first Grand Slam of the season.”
Agencies
