The entry list on the ATP side for the Brisbane International has some very exciting players. The most notable of these is 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, who dropped out of the top 100 after a year away from the sport. However, there are also three players who have withdrawn from the event. This article lists those players, and then gives their three replacements in the entry list.
Three Players Withdraw From Brisbane International
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Yoshihito Nishioka was the first player to withdraw from the Brisbane International. The Japanese player is one of the best competitors on the ATP Tour, and had another solid year last season. There has been no confirmed injury problem for Nishioka, and he is still listed to play in Adelaide the following week. It seems to either be a small injury issue, or a late decision being made to only play one Australian Open warm-up tournament.
Reilly Opelka was another player to withdraw from the event in Brisbane. The big-serving American missed all four Grand Slams last year after suffering with various injuries. These included hip and right wrist issues and Opelka still feels unable to return to professional tennis just yet. Hopefully, the 26-year-old will be able to recover in time for the Australian Open.
Marcos Giron was the last player to withdraw from the Brisbane International. Giron’s story is similar to Nishioka’s, with no confirmed injury to last year’s Tokyo runner-up. The American’s did play in the first week of the calendar last season, and his opening match was a brutal three-hour battle with French stalwart Richard Gasquet. Giron may remember that, and wants to make sure he does not come into the Australian Open fatigued.
Who Replaces Those Three Players in the Draw?
Christopher O’Connell replaces Nishioka at the Brisbane International. The Australian had his best season to date in 2023, including making a first Grand Slam third round appearance at Wimbledon. He will hope that this opportunity and a home crowd can inspire a strong start to the new tennis season.
Aleksandar Vukic benefits from the Withdrawal of Opelka from the Brisbane International. The 27-year-old’s 2023 was similar to O’Connell. Vukic is another Australian, and also had his best ever season in 2023. This included a run to the final in Atlanta, where he narrowly lost to American #1 Taylor Fritz.
Finally, another Australian replaces Giron at the Brisbane International. 2022 Australian Open doubles champion Thanasi Kokkinakis is now on the entry list for the event. 2023 was also a strong one for Kokkinakis, and he finished the season at a career-high ranking of #65. He is extremely talented, and will hope to break into the top 50 this season.
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
