Imagine hosting a Davis Cup tie without your nation's top stars—or home fans—present.
That's the strange scenario Japan encounters when it hosts Ecuador in Miki, Japan this weekend.
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Kei Nishikori, Yoshihito Nishioka and home fans won't be part of Japan's Davis Cup weekend.
Nishikori was scheduled to make his comeback this weekend representing in Davis Cup for the first time since 2016 at the Bourbon Beans Dome in Miki. However, Nishikori was left out of Japan's starting line-up and now aims to return later this month in Miami.
"Everything is going well, but I just couldn't make it in time," Nishikori told the Davis Cup official website. "I'm sure I will come back soon, hopefully in Miami this month or for the claycourt season, but not this week."
The 2014 US Open finalist said his surgically-repaired right elbow is "fine", but says he's physically not ready to compete yet.
"My elbow is fine but my body is not ready yet, and I want to build it up," Nishikori said. "I've rested a long time and I'm coming back from zero. It's sad, seeing the Australian Open and now skipping the Davis Cup, and other big tournaments are coming."
Spectators are banned from attending due to coronavirus fears. That means the tie will be held behind closed doors without fans, Channel News Asia reports. Refunds will be issued to fans who purchased tickets.
"The International Tennis Federation made the decision to play the tie behind closed doors in consultation with the Japan Tennis Association, following advice from Japan Sports Agency and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare," the ITF said in a statement.
Nishikori finished with a 29-14 record one title in 2019. He underwent right elbow surgery in late October and later split with long-time coach Dante Bottini and hired Grand Slam champion doubles champion Max Mirnyi to join Michael Chang on his coaching team.
Nishioka was scheduled to play, but the world No. 48 declined to travel back to Japan from the United States, where he's been competing, for fears he would not be permitted to re-enter the U.S. for the Sunshine Doubles in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve