Stan Wawrinka announced that he will skip Indian Wells and Miami in order to continue rehabbing his left knee for the rigors of the clay season.
“Coming back from a big surgery is complicated and after playing a few tournaments I have discussed with my team that it is best for me to build on the progress and go back to practice. My goal is to find the highest level again and in order to do that I will keep working hard every day.”
Wawrinka left the tour last summer after Wimbledon, underwent two surgeries to his left knee and spent over a month on crutches. After returning to the tour this January, the Swiss has gone 3-4 with a semifinal at Sofia.
In other injury-related news, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet have also withdrwan from Indian Wells, the tournament announced today.