The 2023 US Open is now just hours away from starting. Excitement is reaching fever pitch around the tennis world. Women’s world #1 Iga Swiatek and 23-time champion Novak Djokovic are among the players in action on the first day.
Unfortunately, withdrawals are one inevitable element of every Grand Slam. We at LWOT reported yesterday that four more players had withdrawn from Flushing Meadows, including Bianca Andreescu. Regrettably, another name has been added to that list, and it is a high-profile one.
Kei Nishikori Withdraws From US Open
Kei Nishikori has withdrawn from the final Grand Slam of the year just hours before it was set to start. This story is particularly sad considering Nishikori’s recent history. He was absent from the ATP Tour for nearly two years due to a crippling knee injury. The Japanese star worked so hard and so patiently to become fit enough to play once again. He returned to the tour in triumphant fashion, winning a Challenger event in his first tournament back. He then played further events, including at the Atlanta Open, where he won two matches.
It was there that Nishikori’s troublesome knee became a problem once again. He subsequently elected not to play at the Citi Open, or at the Stanford Challenger in the hope he would be ready for the US Open. This has not worked out for the man who was a finalist at the US Open in 2014.
Everyone at LWOT sincerely hopes this is just a minor setback for Nishikori. He has suffered so much through injury, and deserves a prolonged period of playing on the ATP Tour more than anyone else.
Who Replaces Nishikori in the Draw?
James Duckworth now enters the main draw of the US Open as a lucky loser. The Australian made it to the final round of qualifying, but was beaten very comfortably in straight sets by Timofey Skatov. But he has now been given another chance. He will play the Brazilian Felipe Meligeni Alves. Duckworth has progressed to the second round at Flushing Meadows on two occasions: in 2016 and last year in 2022.
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