Tennis: Ferrer out of Heineken Open

Top seed David Ferrer has pulled out of the Heineken Open. Photo / Getty

In another blow for the Heineken Open top seed David Ferrer has pulled out through injury.

The four-time champion won the Qatar Open in Doha this morning but sustained a back injury that has brought about his withdrawal. The Spaniard will still travel to New Zealand to take part in promotional activities for the event.

"We were very sad to hear that Ferrer will not be playing the 2015 Heineken Open," said tournament director Karl Budge. "He has been fiercely loyal to our tournament, having attended ten times, and won the title four times."

The exit of Ferrer - the world No 10 - leaves the tournament without its brightest star and it comes on the back of defending champion John Isner and popular Frenchman Gael Monfils pulling out on Thursday night.

The trio of setbacks leaves the Heineken Open with four top-20 players, with the top seed now Ernests Gulbis.

Isner elected to skip the tournament and venture straight to Melbourne to prepare for the Australian Open, after he has had what was described as a "big week" at the Hopman Cup in Perth.

Isner said he was "sad" to miss one of his "favourite stops" of the season.

"As much as I would like to be competing in Auckland to defend my title, I feel at this time it is best for me to hit the practice courts in advance of the Australian Open," the two-time champion said in a statement.

Monfils, meanwhile, won't be making the trip to Auckland for "personal reasons" and Karl Budge said he was "unsure" if the Frenchman would appear at the year's first grand slam.

"Gael is withdrawing due to personal reasons," said Budge. "I have spoken to Gael and he is bitterly disappointed. I don't believe it is a cop out. I think if Gael could of he would have been here."