HALLE, June 14, 2019

Dominic Thiem pulled out of next week’s NOVENTI Open in Halle citing fatigue. The 25-year-old Austrian finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros on Sunday.

“I would have loved to play in Halle because it is always a wonderful tournament week in the season,” explained Thiem, who made it into the semi-finals of the ATP 500 grass-court event in 2016. “I hope to compete for the title again in the next few years.”

Nishikori injured

Earlier in the week, Kei Nishikori was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to an upper arm injury. “It is a pity that I can not come to Halle, as I always enjoy playing here,” the 29-year-old from Japan stated in a press release. Nishikori will return to Westphalia, entering into a contract with the tournament for the next three years.

US-American youngster Taylor Fritz and Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina will take Thiem’s and Nishikori’s spot in the main draw.

Update from doubles

Gerry Weber Stadion (photo: GrassCourt Open Halle)

A strong contingent of German players will appear in the doubles competition of the NOVENTI Open. Dustin Brown and Tim Pütz have been awarded a wild card by tournament director Ralf Weber.

They will join reigning French Open champions Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies, the Zverev Brothers, as well as Jan-Lennard Struff and his Japaneses partner Ben McLachlan.

Tickets for the 2020 edition of the GRASSCOURT Open Halle will go on sale on Saturday. Please visit the tournament’s website for more information.