Next damper: Kei Nishikori cancels for the Australian Open - Kohlschreiber in the main field
Kei Nishikori will miss the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, the Australian Open. Due to the Japanese’s cancellation, Philipp Kohlschreiber can look forward to a place in the main field.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Jan 07, 2022, 06:55 pm
Again bad news from Kei Nishikori's camp: As it became known on Thursday, the former world number four will now also be absent from the Australian Open in mid-January after his cancellation for an ATP event at the start of the season. "A small update from my side, which is unfortunately not very positive," wrote the Japanese in his app. According to Nishikori, he struggled with hip problems at the end of last year from which he has not yet been able to recover 100%.
That's why Nishikori will miss the entire Australian swing of the ATP tour. "This is very disappointing for me because the Australian Open feels like my 'home' grand slam," said the Japanese. "I'm working hard to get back and will do everything I can to get back on the field soon." When exactly the 32-year-old plans to return, he left it open.
Kohlschreiber instead of Nishikori in the main field
For Kei Nishikori, the 2022 season starts badly. After the world number 47. brought some good performances on the pitch, especially in the middle of the season, things went downhill again in autumn. The 32-year-old has not played a match since the Indian Wells ATP Masters 1000 event in early October. Last year Nishikori was able to start at the Australian Open, but at that time it was already the end of the game in round one against Pablo Carreno Busta in three sets.
One's suffering, the other's joy: Instead of Kei Nishikori, Philipp Kohlschreiber can now look forward to a fixed place in the main field of the Australian Open, the German currently ranks 114th on the ATP charts. Kohlschreiber has the chance to compete in Down Under for the first time since 2020, when the former world number 16 had to compete. to give up against Stefanos Tsitsipas in round two.