The rising star of American tennis, Sebastian Korda, has been forced to extend his unplanned break from the ATP Tour.
Korda's ongoing wrist injury has now caused him to miss the ATP 250 event in Estoril, marking the start of the clay-court swing without his presence. Previously, the young American skipped the Indian Wells and he also withdrew from the Miami Open.
Only his third tournament of the 2023 season was supposed to be the Estoril Open, but the World No. 26 will need to postpone his return from the injury by at least a few more weeks.
Korda reached the Estoril semifinals just a year ago and had been eager to return to the court in the picturesque Portuguese coastal town. However, his wrist injury proved too stubborn to allow him to compete at his full potential.
While Korda's absence is a blow to the event, the Estoril tournament will still showcase some top-notch tennis, with Polish powerhouse Hubert Hurkacz stepping in to fill the void left by the young American.
Korda's decision to withdraw from yet another tournament is a clear indication that he is committed to a full recovery, unwilling to risk further damage by playing before he is ready. This dedication to his long-term health and career should serve him well in the future.