Rotterdam tournament director Richard Krajicek has a right to feel jittery about his indoor line up for next week after the injury pullout of Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka. In addition, Canadian drawcard Milos Raonic, the world No. 11 could be in doubt due to an ankle injury which forced him from Davis Cup as well as this week’s tournament in France.
But according to Krajicek, the 1996 Wimbledon champion, holder Juan Del Potro remains a safe entry, with the Argentine due to play at the Ahoy stadium even after seeing doctors in the US over fresh wrist pain.
Krajicek told Dutch media that he took the precaution of contacting his main point man for the tournament which last year was a complete and total sellout due to the presence of Roger Federer.”Del Potro is fine, he’s arriving in the Netherlands on Saturday to train, so I’m very happy,” said Krajicek.
The tournament admitted that he was blindsided by the pullout of world No. 3 Wawrinka, calling the news “not so nice.”
“But I understand it at all, as a former pro. You win not matches not only on the court, but you also win them by taking intelligent decisions. If he plays on, the next thing you know he’s out for a few months. It would be good for us if he came to play – but it would not be good for his long-term career.”
Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan catches a break by replacing the Swiss in the draw of the event which begins on Monday.
Topics: 10sballs, Australian Open, Juan Martin Del Potro, milos raonic, Richard Krajicek, Roger Federer, Sports, Stanislas Wawrinka, Tennis, Tennis News