Japan are set to miss the services of their talisman Kei Nishikori when they host France in Davis Cup World Group Round 1 tie at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo from February 3-5.

Nishikori, the World No. 5, had minor injury issues during the Brisbane International last week, where he suffered a three-set defeat to Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in the final.

Keeping that in mind, and the packed schedule that lies ahead, the 27-year-old has made his decision to give the upcoming match-up at home a miss.

“It’s going to be tough in terms of my schedule, and also taking my physical condition into account, I decided not take part,” Nishikori was quoted as saying by The Mainichi.

Nishikori had featured in just the doubles rubber in Japan’s 5-0 drubbing of Ukraine in the World Group playoffs in September last year.