December 30, 2014 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden
Marin Cilic has withdrawn from next week’s Brisbane International tournament with a right shoulder injury. The U.S. Open champion hopes of playing at 2015’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open, are now in question.
Cameron Pearson, the Brisbane tournament director said Cilic “lost his race against time to regain full fitness.”
The shoulder injury keeping him out of Brisbane has been something that has plagued the Croat for the better part of six months. He was forced to withdraw from a number of tournaments toward the end of the season, but was able to come back and win the Kremlin Cup in October.
“I have to take a little break,” said Cilic. “I don’t know if it will be for two, three or four weeks, but I’ll try my best to compete at the Australian Open.”
Australian Marinko Matosevic will replace Cilic next week.
“It’s unfortunate Marin won’t be fit to compete in Brisbane and we wish him all the best for his recovery,” said Pearson. “Matosevic will now gain direct entry into the field, joining fellow Aussies Lleyton Hewitt, Bernard Tomic and Thanasi Kokkinakis in the men’s draw. With a strong local contingent and some of the biggest international stars all coming to Brisbane, it’s certainly shaping up to be another great tournament.”
