Injury forces Kei Nishikori to yet again end season prematurely

• Tennis News
• ATP Tennis

Former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori has withdrawn from the Stockholm Open and put an end to his 2021 season. Nishikori, 31, pulled out of Vienna and the Paris Masters and the expectation was that he would also withdraw from Stockholm.

On Monday, Nishikori pulled out of Stockholm due to a back injury and put an end to yet another injury-plagued season. "Unfortunately, I have to pull out.of Stockholm next week. I hurt.my back some weeks ago before San Diego and it has continued to bother me.

It's been a long year, coming back from an injury and I look forward to the offseason. Also, I look forward to having a strong preseason training to.mKe 2022 a great year. Thanks you for all the support," Nishikori announced.

Nishikori was praised by Rafael Nadal

Recently, 20-time Grand Slam champion Nadal said a healthy Nishikori would be a regular Grand Slam semifinalist and a top-5 player. "Kei is obviously a top player having been playing for a long time on the Tour.

Unfortunately he has been hindered by repeated injuries. Without these injuries he can be definitely one of top five players and make semis at Slams regularly," Nadal told Number Web. "Injury proneness kind of depends on luck, I think it applies to Kei.

He is really professional, I'm sure he is working on everything to prevent injuries." Nishikori has been severely hampered by injuries the last few seasons but Nadal is confide thst the Japanese can return to his old game

"Playing on the Tour is more demanding for players' body than you think.

You have to tactically withdraw from some events at times to deal with physical burden. Given his potential, I'm sure he will be able to be back to the top level, no doubt," Nadal acknowledged. "Believing in himself, working on training and dealing with burden imposed on his body as I said, he can definitely improve again."