Nishikori is ready to slowly return to practice but he is not prepared to compete in best-of-five-set matches
Wednesday 26 August 2020 20:20, UK
Kei Nishikori tested negative for COVID-19 after testing positive twice this month but he has decided to skip the US Open anyway.
The 30-year-old, a finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2014, withdrew from the Western & Southern Open hardcourt event after his first positive test, casting doubt over his participation in the Grand Slam tournament which starts on Monday.
It's disappointing as I love the US Open and have great memories there.
"I am happy to announce that I tested negative for COVID. I will slowly pick up my practice schedule tomorrow," the former world No 4 said on his website.
"Having said that, I (together with my team) have decided to skip the US Open this year. After such a long break I feel that returning in a best of five long-match setting is not smart until I am fully ready to do so," Nishikori added.
"It's disappointing as I love the US Open and have great memories there," he said. "I will start on the clay."
Nishikori lost in the 2014 final to Marin Cilic and was also a semi-finalist in New York in 2016 and 2018.
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