Cilic out of Tata Open

Pune, December 28 

World No. 7 Marin Cilic today pulled out of next week’s Maharashtra Open, citing a nagging knee injury. Portugal’s Pedro Sousa will now enter the main draw after the withdrawal of the second seed from Croatia, who made the announcement on social media. 

“I am sad to announce I have had to pull out of the Tata Open Maharashtra,” Cilic posted on his Instagram. “I was looking forward to returning. However, my knee pains that began towards the end of the season have escalated. Treatments during the short off season helped but I cannot go into this tournament knowing I can’t give my 100 percent.”

The former US Open champion, however, hoped to return next year for the tournament. “I will miss celebrating New Year’s in India this year as I have done for so many years now,” he said.

Tournament director Prashant Sutar said “the field is still competitive”. “…with the likes of Kevin Anderson, defending champion Gilles Simon, Hyeon Chung and Malek Jaziri, tennis lovers should look forward to some exciting action in the next week,” Sutar said.

The tournament will be held from December 31 to January 5. — PTI