Injured Kei Nishikori Pulls Out of Wimbledon

Kei Nishikori was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon on Wednesday through a lingering left calf injury.

The Japanese, seeded fifth in this year’s tournament arrived the All England Club battling the condition which also saw him pull out of his semi-final match at the Gerry Webber Open less than a fortnight ago.

The last year US Open finalist was later stretched into a fifth set by Italy’s Simone Bolelli in his Round One tie at SW19.

He even needed the particular left calf re-strapped while leading 3-love in the decider, but the three hour and 30 minute contest, of course, took its toll on his fitness.

“It is same injury. Got better before the first match. I thought it was really going to be okay. But last match in fifth set I was hurting too much,” said Nishikori.

Kei Nishikori is the First Asian into a Grand Slam Final After His Semi-Final Win Over Novak Djokovic at the 2014 U.S. Open Image: Getty.
Kei Nishikori is the First Asian into a Grand Slam Final After His Semi-Final Win Over Novak Djokovic at the 2014 U.S. Open Image: Getty.

“I tried to warm-up today but it was hurting, you know, just walking and running, so I decided not to play today.”

The 25-year-old was due to face Santiago Giraldo; the Colombian who has now received a walkover into Round 3.

Nishikori had hoped that the injury “should be okay for the next match,” but that was never meant to be.

“During the first match against Simone, especially in the fifth set, it hurt pretty bad. I don’t know how I fought through, but somehow I won.


“I knew it’s going to be little pain I have next day…I thought it would get better in two days but it didn’t.

“It’s very disappointing. Especially as it’s a grand slam. I thought I was playing well on grass. So very unfortunate to lose this chance,” added Nishikori.

His rehabilitation begins immediately. The athlete trained by Michael Chang has a month until the start of the America. Hard-court season in Washington.