Johannesburg [South Africa], Jan. 19 : World No. 10 Tomas Berdych has pulled out of Czech Republic's first-round Davis Cup tie in Australia on March 3-5.
Berdych made this announcement after proceeding to the third round of the ongoing Australian Open beating Ryan Harrison 6-3, 7-6 (6), 6-2 in the second round contest, setting up the clash with Swiss legend Roger Federer.
Berdych, who helped the country win the 2012 and 2013 Davis Cup titles, said he needed some rest and wanted to focus on his ATP season, reports Sport24.
Jaroslav Navratil, Czech Davis Cup captain, has already had to discount world number 86 Adam Pavlasek over a wrist injury and 118th-ranked Lukas Rosol, coming back from an Achilles tendon injury.
Jiri Vesely, the current world number 53, is expected to lead the Czech team, paired with 102nd-ranked veteran Radek Stepanek.
Source: ANI
