Nishikori out of Australian Open

World No 22 Kei Nishikori has pulled out of the Australian Open as he has not yet fully recovered from injury.

The Japanese player last played a competitive game in August 2017 after he injured his wrist during the build-up for the Cincinnati Masters.

He initially pencilled in this week’s Brisbane International as his comeback event, but withdrew from the tournament two weeks ago in order to focus on his recovery from the Melbourne Grand Slam.

However, the former US Open finalist has been forced to withdraw from the Australian Open as he feels he is not yet ready to play best-of-five-set matches.

“I am very sorry to announce that I will miss the Aussie Open this year,” he posted on keisapp.com.

“The Aussie Open is my favourite Slam…it’s my ‘home’ 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 per cent to come back yet in best of five set matches.”