Commonwealth Games: Tennis hopeful Daniell blames injury for no show

Marcus Daniell. Photo / Dean Purcell

A third New Zealand athlete has pulled out of the Commonwealth Games, although tennis player Marcus Daniell is blaming injury rather than fears for his safety.

Daniell succumbed to a back injury which has dogged him through the second half of this year, reducing the number of New Zealand athletes to 191 and leaving his doubles partner, Rubin Statham, to play only singles at the Games.

He joins fellow tennis player Ellen Barry and cyclist Greg Henderson in withdrawing, although the decision of the other two was related to security and health concerns.

Last week, Daniell had said he was looking forward to playing at the Games, but on Wednesday he told Tennis New Zealand he couldn't commit to representing his country while not 100 per cent fit.

A spectator in Bangkok last month when New Zealand beat Thailand to advance to group one of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania zone, Daniell is best known for winning the doubles title at this year's Heineken Open in Auckland.

Barry's withdrawal leaves just two NZ players to contest the singles competition - Statham and Marina Erakovic, who missed a connecting flight on her way to New Delhi and was due to join the team a day late.

New Zealand team chef de mission Dave Currie didn't expect the team size to shrink any further.

"It's a personal decision that people have to make. We've had no indication that any more are not coming," he said yesterday.

"We understand and respect the fact that a couple have decided they don't want to be up here.

"The general sense is that those who are here, are excited to be here and want to be here."

Currie said the advance party had felt a heavy responsibility to ensure athletes had a safe environment, and sports and athletes had put faith in their judgment.

One athlete not convinced was Barry, who said she relied on her gut instinct in deciding to pull out.

"It was a really difficult decision, I thought about it for a long time," she said.

"I was just concerned for my health and safety. I know a lot of athletes will be going, but for me it felt like the right decision."

- NZPA