Cilic pulls out of Croatia's Davis Cup squad due to injury

Defending champions Croatia will be without Marin Cilic in the Davis Cup finals later this month after the former US Open winner announced his withdrawal on Thursday because of a knee injury.

Croatia, who beat previous winners France in last year's final, play the inaugural match in Madrid against Russia on November 18.

"My recurring knee injury has continued to give me problems, and as the season progressed it was becoming more evident that surgery was inevitable," Cilic, world number 39, wrote on Facebook.

The "rehab work was successful enough that surgery is not necessary at this stage," he continued.

"However, I will need to undergo a few minor interventions which will keep me off the tennis court for a longer period and unfortunately means I will not be able to compete at the Davis Cup this month."