Milos Raonic has become the latest player to withdraw from the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati due to a wrist injury.
The world No.10 has been struggling with the problem since last week’s Rogers Cup in Toronto, where he lost his first match in straight sets. Following the defeat, Raonic assured that his wrist problem was ‘nothing serious.’ Although, he did admit to feeling a high level of pain.
“Quite minor in the sense of can it get worse or not, but it wasn’t minor in the sense of quantity of pain.” He replied when asked about the issue.
Raonic’s setback comes as he clings onto a place in the world’s top 10. He has been ranked in the top group for 16 consecutive months since April 2016. A drop could have a negative effect on his draw position heading into the US Open, which gets underway later this month.
Milos Raonic has withdrawn from #CincyTennis: “My wrist injury has not healed. I always play well in Cincinnati & will miss the great fans.” pic.twitter.com/7EZk2Vmu6l
— W&S Open (@CincyTennis) 15 August 2017
The withdrawal is the latest blow to the men’s draw at the Western and Southern Open. Only three top 10 players are left in the field this year. Seven-time champion Roger Federer pulled out with a back issue, Marin Cilic has an abdominal problem and Andy Murray is still nursing a ongoing hip injury.
Newly crowned world No.1 Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem are the three top 10 players remaining. In 2016 the men’s draw featured eight players from the top 10.
Replacing Raonic in the draw will be lucky loser Christian Harrison in the second round. He will face either Borna Coric or Nikoloz Basilashvili.
The injury status of the top 10
- Andy Murray – (hip)
- Rafael Nadal – healthy
- Roger Federer – (back)
- Stan Wawrinka (ended season due to knee injury)
- Novak Djokovic (ended season due to elbow injury)
- Marin Cilic (adductor)
- Alexander Zverev – healthy
- Dominic Thiem – healthy
- Kei Nishikori (wrist)
- Milos Raonic (wrist)
