The USA have to make do without Andy Roddick, currently ranked 6th in the ATP Rankings, and the world’s best doubles Bob and Mike Bryan at the ARAG World Team Cup at the Duesseldorf Rochusclub. Roddick is still suffering from back problems which already forced him to withdraw from the semi-finals in Rome. The Bryan twins suffered injuries during their doubles defeat by Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic in the final in Hamburg forcing them to withdraw from the World Team Championship in Duesseldorf.

US team captain John Roddick said at a press conference in Duesseldorf on Monday that his brother is really disappointed to be unable to play: “Andy recently played as well as ever before on clay. But last Friday his back problems resurfaced. After an examination by a specialist in New York he was forced to withdraw. Andy now has to rest for ten to twelve days and will also have to withdraw from the French Open.”

Bobby Reynolds has been named the substitute on short notice for Roddick and the Bryans. The 25-year-old right-handed player currently holds 102nd position in the ATP Ranking. He was a quarter-finalist at Delray Beach in February. Reynolds had his best match result so far at the ATP Masters event in Miami, when he defeated the former world’s top player Marat Safin in three sets in the first round.

Reynolds celebrated his greatest successes in doubles, however. He is from Massachusetts and is currently ranked 77th in doubles and won his first ever ATP title in Indianapolis in 2008. He also won the doubles events at the Challengers in Heilbronn, Tallahassee and Humacao this year.

-Duesseldorf (pps)