World No.9 Richard Gasquet has shared more details about his decision to pull out of next month’s Australian Open.
The organizers of the Australian Open confirmed on Tuesday morning that the 29-year-old has withdrawn from the event due to a back injury. During an interview with French website L’equipe, Gasquet said that he hurt his back last week during training which lead to him experiencing the same pain as he did during the IPTL. Three days after injuring his back, the Frenchman received an infiltration injection to relieve the pain. Due to the circumstances, Gasquet admitted that it would be ‘too much’ to try and play in Australia.
“It was just too much for Australia. The twenty-four hours of travel without being properly trained to make input for five-set matches, it’s too difficult. I prefer to work well, hoping to be ready for the tournament in Montpellier”. Gasquet said.
Instead of Australia the world No.9 will train in Barcelona with his coach Sergi Bruguera. Gasquet intends to return back to the tour in February and is scheduled to play in Montpellier, Marseille and Rotterdam.
The Frenchman has experienced problems with his back throughout this year after suffering from a Herniated disc. The issue forced him to miss one-and-a-half months of the tour earlier this year. With the same injury troubling him once again, Gasquet has acknowledged that he is concerned about his back.
“There’s still a bit of concern, all the time. I’m still apprehensive about the time of recovery. That’s why I want to take the time needed. Use these few weeks to treat me well and go. I know this is the best solution, I am one hundred percent sure, I have enough experience to know that. “ The world No.9 concluded.
