Kei Nishikori in race to return for Australian Open

Kei Nishikori is entered to play in the Australian Open, but the jury is still out on whether the Japanese can recover from a season-ending wrist injury in time for the year's first grand slam, his manager said on Thursday.

The 27-year-old, who was ranked fourth in the world in March, pulled out of the Cincinnati Masters in August after tearing a tendon in his right wrist and has not played since.

Nishikori has dropped to 14th in the rankings after missing the U.S. Open, the final grand slam of the year, but is also entered to play in the Brisbane International, a warm-up for the year's first major in Melbourne.

Eurosport Player One Year Pass for just £29.99

Australian Open

Two-time champion Azarenka pulls out of Australian Open

08/01/2018 at 08:41

"Kei's rehabilitation is on track and the medical team is satisfied with the current progress," his manager told Reuters in an email.

"Having said that, we will only get a clear picture as to the exact point of return to the tour once Kei is back on the court and practising at 100 percent capacity.

Kei Nishikori

Image credit: Getty Images

"The goal is to be practising at full capacity in December and be ready for Australia. We will learn more in the next month if this is feasible."

Nishikori's participation at February's New York Open on Long Island was confirmed by tournament organisers on Wednesday.

He is also registered to play at tournaments in Acapulco, Indian Wells and Miami in March next year.

Australian Open

US Open champion Stephens bundled out in Sydney

08/01/2018 at 14:49

Australian Open

Australian Open 2018: All you need to know about the first Slam of the year

05/01/2018 at 15:16