Andrey Rublev has pulled out of this week’s ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.
The 20-year-old Russian was a runner-up at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha last week, losing to Gael Monfils in the final, but has elected to skip the event due to a right arm injury.
Rublev hinted that he might not be ready to go after losing Saturday’s final to Monfils. I'm coming to Auckland and it's going to be flight 16 hours. And I'm arriving Monday, and Tuesday I have to play. We'll see. If I will feel fine, I will play. We'll see now. Now I'm completely destroyed.”
The Russian will be seeded 30th at the Australian Open, which begins next Sunday in Melbourne. He is replaced by Lukas Lacko in the draw. Six former champions and five Top 20 players remain in the Auckland draw. Jack Sock is the top seed and defending champion. Juan Martin del Potro is seeded second and American Sam Querrey is seeded third. Del Potro is making his first appearance at Auckland since he won the title in 2009.
Four-time champion David Ferrer is the oldest player in the draw at 35. Chinese wild card Wu Yibing is the youngest at 18.