David Nalbandian out of Heineken Open

Reuters

CONFIRMED: David Nalbandian has had to pull out of Auckland's Heineken Open tennis tournament.

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The Heineken Open was hit with a huge blow today when the tournament's biggest draw card David Nalbandian was forced to pull out.

The former top 10 player picked up a light abdominal strain when training in Auckland today and after receiving an MRI scan at Auckland Hospital he made the decision to withdraw from the Open.

Nalbandian was on the comeback trail from a hip operation that has sidelined him since May last year.

This was to be his first tournament since then but there is a question mark over when he'll take to the court again as the injury is likely to mean he'll miss next week's Australian Open.

Nalbandian's exit is a crushing blow to tournament organisers, who have struggled to bring in any big names for this year's event with Nalbandian the only player in the field with genuine superstar status.

Tournament director Richard Palmer said it was disappointing to lose a player of Nalbandian's stature from the tournament.

"These things happen and it's sad that it's happen," Palmer said last night.

"It would have been great to have seen him play but what can you do about it?

"Coming back from injury and off for a little while is always fraught with risk, so while he was a significant draw card there are plenty of other good players there.

"I've been doing this for 14 years, he's not the first one and if I carry on he won't be the last.

It's disappointing, I'd be a liar if I didn't say that, but it's just the reality of sport, you move on and get on with it."

Nalbandian said he was also disappointed to have missed out of playing at the Open.

"I am very disappointed not to be able to make my comeback this week at the Heineken Open," he said. I was very much looking forward into playing in Auckland once again.

 "I didn't play much tennis for eight months so it is natural to suffer some small injuries. Although I am disappointed at the moment, I remain confident and positive about making a full time come back to the tour soon.

"I thank tournament director Richard Palmer for giving me the wild card and the opportunity to resume my career and I hope to come back next year and play in front of the kiwi crowd."

Nalbandian's place in the main draw goes to Inigo Cervantes-Huegen from Spain, who gets in as the lucky loser as his name was drawn out of the hat from the four players who lost in the last round of qualifying.

- © Fairfax NZ News