Gael Monfils withdraws from Auckland due to new injury

has withdrawn from the ASB Classic that takes place in Auckland this week. The Frenchman has been dealing with a thigh muscle injury for some days and he will not able to play in New Zealand. Monfils picked the injury while training in the tournament, he was supposed to open his campaign against Ugo Humbert on Tuesday but he will now be replaced by the lucky loser Pablo Cuevas.

Monfils is just one of the several top players who have withdrawn from Auckland after Roberto Bautista Agut, who has not yet recovered from the Qatar Open run, and Tomas Berdych who lost to the Spaniard in the final. In a news conference, Monfils said: I have a problem with my leg, with my quadriceps.

I have had pain for two days with my quadriceps and unfortunately, I am not able to play the tournament. Its really tough in many ways, its been 10 days that Ive in Australia and Auckland, Ive been practising.

I committed with Karl (Budge, tournament director) that I wont play the first week. Last year in the first week I won the tournament (in Doha), but I was happy and excited to come back here because its been years that I didnt come back and play the tournament.

I had great support the last time I came here (in 2013). I was a wildcard as well and this I dont forget, it was a big help from Karl. So Im disappointed about the situation Ive put myself and the tournament through because obviously, this year is tough because theyve had a couple of retirements.

I was super excited, I came here on Saturday. I love the city, the fans are always great. It was great to see Karl again and it was a tough decision for me to make today that Im not playing. Im quite sad. ALSO READ: Rafael Nadal: Worse players than David Ferrer won a Grand Slam title