Nishikori airs doubts over fitness
Injury-prone Japanese tennis player discounts US Open chances.
NEW YORK:
US Open 10th seed Kei Nishikori remains concerned over his fitness following a three-week injury break, with the Japanese number one raising doubts about his prospects of making it past the first round in New York.
The world number 11 skipped warm-up tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati after having a cyst removed from his right toe earlier this month and has just resumed training ahead of the final grand slam of the season starting next week.
“I had doubts about my decision [to play at the US Open] but I am going to take a chance,” the Kyodo news agency quoted Nishikori as telling reporters in New York on Friday.
“However, to be honest I have some concerns about my physical fitness.
“I haven’t had match practice and I don’t know if I will be able to keep up when it comes to quick movement,” added Nishikori. “I don’t know if I will be able to get through the first round.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2014.
US Open 10th seed Kei Nishikori remains concerned over his fitness following a three-week injury break, with the Japanese number one raising doubts about his prospects of making it past the first round in New York.
The world number 11 skipped warm-up tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati after having a cyst removed from his right toe earlier this month and has just resumed training ahead of the final grand slam of the season starting next week.
“I had doubts about my decision [to play at the US Open] but I am going to take a chance,” the Kyodo news agency quoted Nishikori as telling reporters in New York on Friday.
“However, to be honest I have some concerns about my physical fitness.
“I haven’t had match practice and I don’t know if I will be able to keep up when it comes to quick movement,” added Nishikori. “I don’t know if I will be able to get through the first round.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2014.