Tomas Berdych withdraws from Miami Masters
Czech tennis star Tomas Berdych won't be making his 15 consecutive appearance at the Miami Masters as he has withdrawn from the tournament.
The Czech, who played his last tournament of the 2018 season at the Queen's Club in June, doesn't want to risk anything with his troublesome back as it's not at 100 percent.
The 33-year-old was scheduled to meet former world No. 17 Bernard Tomic in the Miami first round on Wednesday -- but will be a lucky loser or qualifier whom the Australian will face in his Miami opener.
"Not a good day in the office, unfortunately I have to pull out from my first round match. My back is not in the 100 percent conditions and I have to be careful with my decisions. (I) need time to recover and be strong again," Berdych announced.
Former world No. 4 Berdych's best-ever run at the Miami event came in 2010 when he made the final, before losing to USA's Andy Roddick.
The 33-year-old also made the Miami semi-finals in 2008, 2014 and 2015.
In his last Miami appearance, the Czech lost to home-favorite Frances Tiafoe in the Miami third round.
Berdych, now ranked at No. 89 in the world, last played at the Indian Wells Masters, where he suffered a first round loss at the hands of Spain's Feliciano Lopez.
It remains to be seen will the Czech be forced to miss any of the upcoming clay-court events when the clay season kicks off.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2UNZrdN
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