The Spanish Rafael Nadal, number one in the world, has withdrawn from the ATP 500 tournament in Basel, which begins next Monday.
The decision is made by Nadal after suffering “a load of stress” on his right knee during the 1,000 Masters in Shanghai, in which final against the Swiss Roger Federer came out with a protector on said knee and acted diminished, conceding the fourth defeat this year against the Swiss player (fifth in a row).
“Sadly I have to tell you that I will not participate in the Basel tournament after seeing my doctor in Spain on my return from Shanghai,” the player posted on social media.
“I have a load of stress on my knee, a problem that I already had during the Shanghai tournament, and on the advice of my doctor, it now forces me to take time off,” he adds.
“After two very good weeks in China, with the title in Beijing and the final in Shanghai, now is the time to rest,” says Nadal.
The one from Manacor had played 10 hard court matches in the last 13 days and 75 in all of 2017, an overload that has made him withdraw from the Swiss tournament to prevent greater evils.
However, Nadal still maintains his participation in the Masters 1,000 in Paris-Bercy on his calendar, starting on October 30, a tournament prior to the ATP Finals at the London O2 (from November 12 to 19).
In the press conference after the final in Shanghai, Nadal already announced that he was thinking about his next appointments with some doubt. “In these two weeks I need to think about it,” said the player about Basel.
“My calendar is Basel and Paris but I don’t know what will happen,” added Nadal. «I know that I have made a significant effort on this tour and I know that I am very happy with how I have played. I have played for most of the tour, not today, one of the best tennis levels of a long time ago and I have enjoyed it, “he added.
Nadal currently holds a 1,960-point lead over Federer in the world rankings, ensuring that he will reach the London masters’ appointment as number one. It will be in London where it will be decided who of the two ends the season in that position.
This year, Nadal has withdrawn from the Rotterdam and Queen’s tournaments. Two years ago he also left Basel to take care of his left wrist. EFE