Former British number one Kyle Edmund has been ruled out of the upcoming Battle of the Brits due to a knee injury.
The 26-year-old has not played a single match in the 2021 season as he battles his way back from the problem, which first plagued him back in 2018.
Edmund is thought to have a strong chance of returning for January's Australian Open, but any prospects of the world number 122 taking part in December's Battle of the Brits have been dashed.
"Edmund has been forced to withdraw from the event because of a slower-than-expected recovery from the left knee injury which has kept him off the court for the last 13 months," a statement from the event's organisers read.
Edmund boasts two ATP singles titles in his career so far, most recently winning the New York Open in February 2020 after a European Open triumph in October 2018.
Jack Draper is set to replace his compatriot in the Battle of the Brits, which takes place on December 21 and 22.
Ben Knapton
