Japanese favorite Kei Nishikori has withdrawn from the ATP Antwerp Open with a right shoulder injury. This is disappointing news for Nishikori as he was just recovering from a long injury prior to the tennis lockdown. Nishikori has played a handful of matches in 2020 with injuries with the pandemic halting his season.

The Japanese player was scheduled to play singles and doubles in Antwerp. He has now been replaced by Federico Coria in singles.

After the 2019 US Open, Nishikori had suffered an elbow injury that ruled him out for the start of the 2020 season. The pandemic kicked in soon after, and Nishikori had to wait for his season to start. But his comeback was further delayed after multiple positive COVID-19 tests stopped him from participating in the resuming season. He missed the Cincinnati Masters and the US Open 2020.

Kei Nishikori had tested positive for the coronavirus

After recovering from the coronavirus, Nishikori started his 2020 season in Kitzbuhel, Austria, but was ousted in the first round. The former World No. 4 then played in the Italian Open and the French Open but lacked his old prowess as he bowed out in the early rounds. Now, his latest injury has taken him back further.

In a recent interview, Nishikori had expressed his eagerness to play in Antwerp, but the Japanese player will now have to settle on the sidelines. He had said, “First time here in Antwerp and you know this tournament has a lot of history, great facility, so yeah I am looking forward to play.”

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Amidst an injury-stricken career, Nishikori’s previous visit to Belgium was also due to an injury. Two years ago, Nishikori suffered a wrist injury and rehabbed in Belgium.

The Antwerp Open is also known as the European Open. It is an ATP 250 event, and it is now into its 5th edition. It is well known with notable champions such as Andy Murray and Richard Gasquet. Murray is the defending champion but is currently enduring another hip injury.

With fewer tournaments to play, Nishikori’s 2020 season might have come to an end. He has just won two matches this year and he will be looking for a much better start to the 2021 season.