David Ferrer, John Isner and Gael Monfils have all pulled out of the tournament in Auckland. The top-seeded Ferrer won the Qatar Open final on Saturday over Tomas Berdych, but then on Sunday he withdrew with a back injury. The defending champion, Isner, and Monfils also withdrew late.
Isner played at the Hopman Cup, and reached the final with Serena Williams. He withdrew from Auckland saying he was tired. Monfils, who withdrew for personal reasons, is already in Melbourne practicing. Aukland tournament director Karl Budge said that Ferrer would have come if he was heathy, "He doesn't have a record of pulling out of events and he wouldn't be doing so if it wasn't absolutely necessary this time around," Budge said.
World No. 13 Ernests Gulbis is the top seed, followed by Roberto Bautista Agut.