Rafael Nadal Will Not Play In the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals In London
Recently, it has been revealed that Rafael Nadal is still unsure if he will participate in the Barclays Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour Finals in London. He said via a spokesperson that he will make a decision after competing at the Swiss Indoors Basel. However, a new report claims that Nadal may completely skip the London finals after all to give way for his appendicitis surgery.
According to a report by Spanish media IB3, Nadal will not play in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, but he will still play in Basel and Paris. IB3 reported that Nadal will have to end his 2014 season sooner to undergo surgery for his appendicitis.
Nadal's spokesperson has rejected the IB3 story and insisted that the former World No. 1 will make a decision after the ATP Swiss Indoors. Even though Nadal has not pulled out of the London Finals at the O2 Arena yet, it has been announced that it is not "impossible" for Nadal to withdraw from the tournament.
Nadal spokesman @benitopb just told me it's not yet clear Nadal won't play World Tour Finals: will play Basel, consult docs, then decide
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) Oct. 15, 2014
"Rafa is playing Basel and depending on how he feels and what the doctors say will decide then, after the tournament, on what's best." — Simon Briggs (@simonrbriggs) Oct. 15, 2014
Management of @RafaelNadal reject IB3 radio story that he's definitely pulling out of World Tour Finals at O2 - though it's not impossible
— Simon Briggs (@simonrbriggs) Oct. 15, 2014
In a news report by Tennis World USA, Nadal's uncle and coach Toni has put an end to the rumour. "Rafael will for sure undertake surgery," Nadal was quoted saying. "We will have to see if he will do it before the Masters 1000 of Paris Bercy, or immediately after the event."
Tennis World USA further reported that it is the fourth time that Nadal has pulled out of the World Tour Finals. He has qualified for the event in 2005, 2008 and 2012. He pulled out of the 2005 finals due to left foot injury. In 2008 and 2012, he also pulled out of the tournament because of a knee injury.
Nadal has had an injury-plagued season. He suffered a back injury at the Australian Open. He was forced to withdraw from the US Open because of a wrist injury. In the latest ATP world rankings, Nadal has dropped to the third place.
