World No 13 Kei Nishikori has pulled out of next month's Australian Open as he is yet to fully recover from right elbow surgery, tournament organizers announced Monday.
The 30-year-old Japanese, who has not played since losing to Alex de Minaur in the third round of the U.S. Open and underwent minor elbow surgery in October, will also miss the inaugural ATP Cup team event in Australia.
Nishikori is the latest high-profile men's player to pull out of the season's first Grand Slam following the withdrawal of Briton Andy Murray Saturday.
"We have made this decision as I am still not 100 percent ready, healthy to compete at this level." - @KeiNishikori https://t.co/iJpZv2SukE
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) December 30, 2019
Yoshihito Nishioka replaces Nishikori as Japan's top-ranked player for the ATP Cup which begins Friday.
They face Spain, Georgia and Uruguay in Group B in Perth.
The Australian Open begins on Jan. 20.
