After being forced to retire in the final of the Madrid Masters, Kei Nishikori has opted to withdraw from this week’s final ATP 1000 event to prepare for the French Open.

Nishikori became the first Japanese player to break into the top ten following this tournament but will play no part in this week’s meeting in Italy. The new world number nine has decided to miss the Internazionali BNL d’Italia to ensure that he fully recovers from his back injury so that he is ready for the second major of the year which begins on the 25th May.

Kei Nishikori at last year’s French Open.

Rafael Nadal went on to take the title but was dominated for over a set and a half by his competitor. Taking the ball on early, Nishikori gave little time for Rafa to unleash one of his ferocious forehands and in the opening set took a…