World No.13 Kei Nishikori withdraws from Australian Open

Former world No.4 Kei Nishikori has joined Andy Murray on the Australian Open scrapheap after failing to overcome an elbow injury that required surgery in the off-season.

Kei Nishikori has withdrawn from the Australian Open. Picture: Al Bello/Getty

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Kei Nishikori has pulled out of the Australian Open.

The Japanese star — who is currently ranked No.13 in the world — said an ongoing elbow injury had forced him to miss the year’s first grand slam and the ATP Cup.

“Unfortunately I have to pull out of the ATP Cup and the Aussie Open,” he said on Monday.

“Today, together with my team, we have made this decision as I am still not 100 per cent ready (or) healthy to compete at the highest level.

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Kei Nishikori has withdrawn from the Australian Open. Picture: Al Bello/Getty

“This decision was not taken lightly as Australia is one of my favourite places to compete.

“Together with my team I will keep working hard to be back on court as soon as possible. Thanks for all the support.”

Nishikori — who has made four Australian Open quarter-finals — has not played since he fell to Australian Alex de Minaur in the third round of the US Open in August and had surgery on his elbow in the off-season.

Originally published as World No.13 Kei Nishikori withdraws from Australian Open