The Argentinean tennis star and major drawcard Juan Martin del Potro appears likely to miss next month's ASB Classic in Auckland due to ongoing injury concerns.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The former US Open winner said he would skip the Auckland event, the Australian Open, the first grand slam event of the year, and the Davis Cup tie against Italy.

"If I'm being smart, I know that I have 15 days of practice left for Australia and for my first tournament (Auckland), and that's a goal I'm not going to make," del Potro said.

Del Potro said in addition to taking a pass on the Australian Open, which starts on 16 January, he may also have to miss the ATP event in Delray Beach, Florida, in late February.

However ASB tournament director Karl Budge said he still expects del Potro to play in Auckland after speaking with him yesterday.

Budge said del Potro didn't mention any intentions to pull out of the tournament during the conversation.

Last month, del Potro helped lead Argentina's Davis Cup squad to its first championship in tennis' premier international teams event.

A former world No. 4, del Potro's ranking stands at No. 38 due to his many wrist injuries and operations.

"Tennis waited for me for two years and it can wait one more Australian Open for me.

"But I also know that it's an important tournament and that if you do well, you can really move up in the rankings and be set for the rest of the season. I'm in a tough situation."

-AAP / RNZ