2018 ATP Finals: Rafael Nadal an injury doubt for London

2018 ATP Finals

• What: men’s tour season-ending event
• When: 11-18 November
• Where: The O2, London
• Tickets: axs.com
• TV channel: live on Sky Sports

Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the Paris Masters has put his participation at the 2018 ATP Finals in doubt.

The Spaniard has pulled out of the Paris event because of an abdominal injury, the BBC reports, and is unsure if he will play in the season finale in London from 11-18 November.

“I felt better than I thought I would one week ago but in the last few days I started to feel a bit in my abdominal, especially when I was serving,” said the 17-time grand slam winner.

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“I checked with the doctor and the doctor recommended that I did not play. It has been a tough year for me in terms of injury so I want to avoid drastic things.

“I have to think longer term. I want to keep playing tennis for a couple of years, so I have to do the logical thing. The doctor says if I continue the abdominal maybe can break and can be a major thing.”

When asked about the London finals he added: “I am very sorry but I cannot answer you. I just go day by day, as I did all my tennis career.

“In terms of this kind of a stuff, I have to be checking daily about things how it improves. I would love to be in London of course.”

Nadal’s withdrawal from Paris means that he will be replaced by Novak Djokovic at the top of the world rankings when they are released next Monday.

Should Nadal be fit for the eight-man ATP Finals he will be joined on the London bill by Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro, Roger Federer, Alexander Zverev and Kevin Anderson. The final two places will be confirmed in Paris this week.