Kei Nishikori Withdraws from The French Open

Kei Nishikori of Japan is withdrawing from the French Open because of an injured right elbow.

Nishikori has not played since losing in the first round at Indian Wells, Calif., in March.

He was honored as the ATP’s newcomer of the year for 2008, in part because of his run to the fourth round of the U.S. Open. He was the first Japanese man since 1937 to make it that far at that tournament.

Once ranked as high as No. 56, Nishikori is currently 117th. He has played only 10 tour matches this year.

The French Open begins Sunday.