Del Potro pulls out from the elite eight-player event

The ‘Tower of Tandil’ from Argentina, Juan Martin del Potro withdrew from the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals. He is sidelined from the London event due to his fractured kneecap. It has been prolonging since last month at the Shanghai Masters. Del Potro’s position will be occupied by the Japanese Number one Kei Nishikori as told by the organizers of the London event. The 28-year-old, Nishikori will accompany Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Alexander Zverev, Kevin Anderson, Marin Cilic and Dominic Thiem for the elite eight-player event in the UK capital. 

Del Potro previously participated in the event in the year 2013. Since then he has been tackling with injuries. “It’s frustrating for me not to be able to compete in London,” Del Potro said. “It’s a very special tournament and I’ve tried everything possible to get my knee better. The rehabilitation is making good progress, but I need more time. Of course, it’s disappointing for me right now, but I had a very good season overall.”

This year’s finalist at Flushing Meadows, Del Potro has decently dwelled on the circuit this season. He triumphed at the Mexican Open and then consecutively at the Indian Wells Masters where he defeated Federer in the final. He was the semifinalist at the Roland Garros where he lost to Nadal. The skyscraper had a tragic quarterfinal loss at the Wimbledon again surrendering to Nadal 5–7, 7–6(9-7), 6–4, 4–6, 4–6 at SW19. He was the finalist at Auckland Open, Los Cabos Open, China Open and the US Open.

Its the fourth time Nishikori reaches the ATP Tour Final event. He succeeded to reach the semi-finals in 2014 and 2016. “First of all, I want to wish Del Potro a speedy recovery. He had an amazing year,” the Japanese tweeted. “Second, I am very excited to join the London field. I started my year with challenges and missed the Aussie Open and Indian Wells. Very proud of the way the year turned out,” he appended. As the 2018 tennis season kicked-off, Nishikori returned from a  five-month layover due to his injured right wrist. In the month of April his ranking dropped to World Number 39, but however, Nishikori will conclude his year on the list of top ten tennis players.