Injury forces Kiwi tennis player out of Delhi Commonwealth Games

AUCKLAND - New Zealand athlete tennis player Marcus Daniell has pulled out of the Delhi Commonwealth Games due to a back injury.

The injury has dogged Daniell through the year, and leaves his doubles partner Rubin Statham to play singles only at the October 3-14 Games.

The 20-year-old now joins fellow-tennis player Ellen Barry and cyclist Greg Henderson in withdrawing from the mega event.

Barry and Henderson had pulled out citing security and health concerns.

Talking about the withdrawals, New Zealand team chef de mission Dave Currie said: “It’s a personal decision that people have to make. We’ve had no indication that any more are not coming.”

“We understand and respect the fact that a couple have decided they don’t want to be up here. The general sense is that those who are here, are excited to be here and want to be here,” Stuff.co.nz quoted Currie, as saying.

Daniell is best known for winning the doubles title at this year’s Heineken Open in Auckland. (ANI)