Philipp Kohlschreiber delays Eastbourne return as he pulls out of event
German veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber has withdrawn from next week's ATP event in Eastbourne.
The 35-year-old was expected to return to Eastbourne this year and play at the tournament for the first time since 2013.
Kohlschreiber, ranked at No. 50 in the world, has made two appearances on the grass of Eastbourne so far in his career.
The German debuted at the Eastbourne event in 2012, when he made the quarterfinal before losing to Italian Andreas Seppi.
A year later, the 35-year-old picked up an Eastbourne round-of-16 loss at the hands of Czech Radek Stepanek.
Kohlschreiber will now take a week off ahead of his 15th consecutive Wimbledon campaign.
Former world No. 16 Kohlschreiber has had a disappointing grass season so far.
The German kicked off his grass season with a surprise Stuttgart first round loss suffered against Serb Miomir Kecmanovic.
This week, Kohlschreiber once again failed to impress in front of his home fans as American Steve Johnson handed him a straight-set loss in the Halle first round.
Meanwhile, a place in the Eastbourne main draw has opened for Johnson following the withdrawal of Kohlschreiber.
Johnson, 29, is set to make his third consecutive appearance in Eastbourne.
The American made the Eastbourne quarterfinal in 2017 before he picked up a round-of-16 exit at the tournament last year.
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2XpcSWf
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