Monday will see that start of the 65th Barcelona Open at the Real Club de Tenis. Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal will be the star attractions in the draw, but headlines have already been made before the competition has started.
Kei Nishikori has delayed his start to the clay swing after pulling out of the tournament on Saturday. The former US Open runner-up has struggled with a wrist injury since the Miami Open in March. According to an official press release, the Japanese player hurt himself yesterday morning during a practice session and was forced to withdraw.
“I’m sorry to have to pull out from the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. Obviously it is one of my favorite tournaments and I have very good memories of the past years, “said Nishikori.
“My right wrist, unfortunately, has not recovered enough to play this week,” he added.
Nishikori, who is a two-time champion in Barcelona, is set to return to the tour during the second week of May at the Madrid Masters. The world No.5 is yet to win a title this season, but has reached the final at tournaments in Brisbane and Buenos Aires.
Ferrero returns
At the age of 37, Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero is set to play his first ATP match since October 2012. The former world No.1 has accepted a wildcard into the doubles tournament alongside Pablo Carreno Busta. Busta has been a member of Ferrero’s tennis academy since 2015 and formed a formed a new coaching team whilst at the academy.
According to Super Deporte, Ferrero’s return is not the start of a comeback. Instead, it is understood that he has described his participation as a ‘hobby.’ The Spanish duo will take on 44-year-old Daniel Nestor and Marcin Matkowski in the first round.
During his career, Ferrero spent eight weeks as world No.1 in 2003. During that year, he defeated Martin Verkerk to win the French Open. He has won a total of 16 ATP titles.
The Barcelona Open main draw
