American John Isner became the second international tennis star to quit the Hopman Cup with a knee injury on Thursday, casting doubt on his Australian Open prospects.
World No.14 Isner’s withdrawal on Thursday ended the American team’s bid for a final berth in the mixed teams event in Perth – and teammate Venus Williams’ hopes or joining her sister Serena as a Cup winner – while handing Spain a spot in Saturday’s decider.
His exit followed that of Germany’s world No.9 Andrea Petkovic on Sunday with a ruptured meniscus in her right knee which ended her hopes of playing the Australian Open starting in 11 days.
Isner remained confident he would be fit for the Australian Open and also still planned to play next week’s Sydney International in the lead-up.
He played with strapping on his knee when he lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France on Tuesday and later said he was suffering from “a little tendinitis.”
However Isner said after withdrawing on Thursday he was not sure if that was the problem.
“I don’t necessarily know if it’s tendinitis,” he said.
“It’s sore and it’s caused me a little bit of trouble and from that I’m not able to really load the right way and I’m not really going for my shots like I should.”
“My plan now is just to treat it as best I can and see how it reacts.
“I do know I’ve always been a fast healer when I’ve had little injuries pop up here and there, so I’m confident I’m going to be fine for the Australian Open.”
“It’s not a great way to start the year but I’d rather it happen this week than in two weeks (at the Australian Open).”
Spain and the US were each 2-0 in round-robin play at the Hopman Cup heading into Thursday’s deciding match-up.
Spain was awarded a walkover and advance to Saturday’s final against the winner from Group A, likely Serbia.
Although Spain was assured of advancing, Isner was replaced by his Australian hitting partner, Thanasi Kokkinakis, for his singles match against Fernando Verdasco.
Venus Williams was also still scheduled to play Spain’s Anabel Medina Garrigues in women’s singles and to team with Kokkinakis to play Verdasco and Medina Garrigues in a meaningless mixed doubles match.
