Google News ATP MADRID - Kei Nishikori withdraws due to a wrist injury! Novak Djokovic reaches semifinals
by LUIGI GATTO | VIEW 4782
Bad luck for Kei Nishikori. In his first tournament since a month and a half, the Japanese player is forced to withdraw before his quarter-finals match against Novak Djokovic due to a wrist injury, that forced him to skip Barcelona a few weeks ago as well.
In press conference Nishikori, who had beaten David Ferrer in straight sets playing a great tennis, explained his wrist 'is still not hundred percent. I don't want to risk it too much today. I have next week and the French, too.
I want to get back hundred percent and to fight again every match. I think today I won't be able to play hundred percent. So unfortunate to pull out. It's been taking a long time, from Miami. So I don't want to go too hard on my wrist.' Asked what are his plans now, Nishikori replied: 'I'll take couple days off, for sure.
I will plan to play Rome, but we'll see. I cannot promise to play or pull out right now. I feel a chance, you know. I just need couple days, I guess, to recover well. But French is more important. We'll see next couple days.' 'It was inflammation', Nishikori explained furthermore. 'Now I think it's getting better.
It was my first tournament. So, you know, I was feeling a lot of little bit issue everywhere. I think that's little bit causing to get little bit of pain. But I was expecting to have some pain. I tried to get used to little bit of pain.
Yeah, hope I can get better.' Djokovic advances to the semifinals in Madrid for the fourth time since the tournament is played on clay (2009), he is bidding to win his third title here After 2011 and 2016. In the semifinal he will face Rafael Nadal or David Goffin.
It's not the first time Nishikori retired in Madrid: he had done the same three years ago in the third set of the final against Rafael Nadal. ALSO READ: Novak Djokovic: 'My brother is my tennis coach'. And about his possible new clothing brand...