Milos Raonic, who has been injured for much of this year, has pulled out of IPTL competition with an injured back.
The 24-year-old pulled out Rome and the French Open this year with a foot injury, and then underwent surgery to correct a nerve problem. He played the grass-court season, but was forced to withdraw from Washington with lingering foot pain.
He lost early in Montreal, Cincinnati and the U.S. Open, but won an ATP 250 title in St. Petersburg. After losing in the third round of Shanghai to Rafa Nadal, he ended his season early with a hip injury.
The world No. 14 played this week for the Philippine Mavericks, but was forced to withdraw.
"It’s a big blow considering that [Raonic] was probably the MVP of the Manila leg," Mavericks co-owner Jean- Henri Lhuillier said. "Milos has been troubled by back spasms and getting therapy. The recommendation is complete rest to be prepared for next year."
Raonic is scheduled to play Brisbane beginning on January 4.
Roanic and his coach Ivan Ljubicic split a few weeks ago. Ljubicic will begin working with Roger Federer, while Raonic has yet to hire a new coach.