Marin Cilic pulls out of Tata Open Maharashtra

World no. 7 Marin Cilic Friday pulled out of next week's Maharashtra Open tennis tournament, citing a nagging knee injury.

Portugal's Pedro Sousa will now enter the main draw after the withdrawal of the second-seeded player from Croatia, who made the announcement through his social media accounts.

"I am sad to announce I have had to pull out of the Tata Open Maharashtra. My sincerest apologies to the fans and organizers," Cilic posted on his Instagram account.

"I was looking forward to returning, however, my knee pains that began toward the end of the season have escalated.

"Treatments during the short off season have been helping but there is still a ways to go and I cannot go into this tournament knowing I am not currently able to give 100%."

The former US Open champion, however, hoped to return next year for the tournament.

"I will miss celebrating New Year's in India this year as I have done for so many years now, but I hope to continue my New Year's tradition there next ...