The current world number five has had serious elbow problems (tendinitis known as tennis elbow) in recent months, and after winning in Pune at the start of the season and competing shortly after the Australian Open, he was absent for six weeks. He returned at the Miami Masters 1000, where he beat João Sousa only to be caught in the quarter-finals by Roger Federer.

His injury has persisted and, after giving up the recent Masters 1000 Monte Carlo, Anderson made the decision to completely give up the clay season, including the Millennium Estoril Open.

"I am very disappointed that I cannot go to Estoril this year. I've had elbow problems all year round and unfortunately it's taking longer than expected to improve. The tournament is one of my favorites and my wife Kelsey. They always made us feel at home ", Kevin Anderson wrote in an e-mail to João Zilhão, the tournament director.

João Zilhão said:" We knew Kevin had been suffering and he was keeping us abreast of the injury. A week ago it seemed to improve, but not enough. Kevin is a great professional and to have made the decision he has taken is because he cannot compete. As a player that is close to us and very fond of our tournament and the Cascais area, I personally invited him to come here for a few days during the week. "

The Millennium Estoril Open runs from 27 April 27 until 5 May