Haase pulls out of Chennai Open, creates confusion

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What was touted as the strongest ever line-up at the Chennai Open is slowly thinning because of unexpected pullouts.

After two-time champion Marin Cilic was forced to give the 17th edition of the country’s only ATP Tour event a miss due to a patellar tendon injury, the organisers were in for a shock on Thursday when Robin Haase withdrew from the tournament citing 'visa issues'.

While the Dutch player tweeted saying his visa was not the only reason for pulling out, the organisers of the Chennai Open say “Haase is out with an injury”.

“It’s a blatantly false statement,” said C.B.N. Reddy, a key member of the organising committee.
“His visa was issued on December 27 and we have proof of that. When contacted, his manager has confirmed to us that Haase is injured.

“Though it is a player’s responsibility to procure visas for Tour events, organisers help them by furnishing documents such as sports ministry clearance,” said Reddy adding that no one had ever missed the Open in its 17-year history because of visa problems.

By missing the season-opener at Chennai, the world No. 45 will lose valuable 45 ATP points that he earned for his quarterfinal appearance here last year. The 24-year-old Haase is expected to start his season a week later at Sydney, ahead of the season’s first grand slam in Melbourne.

Defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka, who landed in the city on Thursday, said the field remains challenging despite losing out two big names - Cilic and Haase.

“Janko Tipsarevic has showed in 2011 that he is one of the contenders for the top-10 next year; Canadian Milos Raonic is a great prospect with an impressive game. Nicolas Almagro is a big fighter and always a tough opponent,” said the World No. 17 who will be starting his fourth successive season at the Chennai Open.

Apart from breaking into top-10, Wawrinka has set his sights on retaining his Olympics doubles gold medal that he won with Roger Federer at Beijing.

“My preparation was great. I spent some time in Gstaad in the Swiss mountains where I did a lot of physical work. Then I went back to Lausanne where I practised a lot on the court with some Swiss players. Helping to bring Switzerland back into the World Group in Davis Cup was one of my biggest achievements in 2011. Roger has confirmed his participation for the first round tie against the USA. We haven’t discussed all the details yet but we will fight hard to defend our gold at the London Olympics,” he added.

With cyclonic weather prevailing in the city, players (Wawrinka, Somdev Devvarman, Milos Raonic) who reached on Thursday morning were forced to skip their practise sessions. With more rains predicted for the morrow, the players are set to remain indoors.