WORLD No. 13 Kei Nishikori has pulled out of next month’s Australian Open as he is yet to fully recover from surgery on his right elbow, tournament organizers announced Monday.

The 30-year-old Japanese tennis star, who has not played since losing to Alex de Minaur of Australia in the third round of the U.S. Open, underwent minor elbow surgery in October. He will also miss the inaugural ATP Cup team event in Australia.

“Today, together with my team, we have made this decision as I’m still not 100 percent ready (or) healthy to compete at the highest level,” Nishikori said in a statement.

“This decision was not taken lightly as Australia is one of my favorite places to compete. Together with my team I will keep working hard to be back on court as soon as possible. Thanks for all the support.”

Nishikori is the latest high-profile men’s player to pull out of the season’s first Grand Slam following the withdrawal of Britain’s Andy Murray on Saturday.

Yoshihito Nishioka replaces Nishikori as Japan’s top-ranked player for the ATP Cup.

(SD-Agencies)