Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the season-ending ATP Finals due to a persistent abdominal injury and will take the time off to have ankle surgery.
He lost his place as world number one last week when injury forced him to pull out of the Paris Masters, with Novak Djokovic moving to the top of the rankings.
And Rafa will not get the opportunity to end the year on a high as he will not play in London, citing both last week’s abdominal issue and a long-standing ankle problem for his absence.
“It has been a complicated year — very good at the tennis level when I have been able to play and, at the same time, very bad as far as injuries are concerned,” Rafa wrote in a series of messages on his Twitter page. “I have done everything possible to get to the end of the season in good condition, both to Paris and to London, doing things well, and I really wanted to play.
“Unfortunately I had the abdominal problem in Paris last week and I also have a free body in the ankle joint that has to be removed in the operating room today.”
“It is true that we had detected for some time and occasionally bothered me. However, since the problem in the abdominal muscle also prevents me from playing in London, we take the time to remove the free body and avoid future problems. This way I hope to be in full condition for next season.”
Get well soon, Rafa!
Get well and fit Rafa! I pray for complete recovery so you will be good and ready come next season!🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️❤️
Thank you jas_uk for that very important clarification.His success is indeed far greater seen in that true light.Vamos Rafa.
Rafa querido. Lo mas importante es tu salud. Por favor cuidate y descansa. Desde Mexico te deseo una pronta recuperacion y obedece a los doctores. Te queremos desde Mexicl
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No me explico si le estoy diciendo a Rafa se cuide y tenga una pronta recuperacion. Creo que es un buen gesto mio y un idiota me pone un signo negativo. Has de tener el cerebro pero en la cola. Mala leche sin educacion.
Wish you a quick healing Rafa can’t wait for your return in 2019.
Rafa is the best in my eyes I know there are a lot of tennis players that are very good but Rafa is exceptional no other can bring such excitement to the court like him. Get well soon Rafa can’t wait for your return.
Rafa is still the greatest world tennis player after this necessary withdrawal from the ATP to play. After a substantial therapy and rest with this injury, he surely will be back in the court for the world to enjoy his prowess in the tennis court. Meanwhile, you can continue your benovolen† outreach to those in need and to your foundation project. God bless you richly, Rafa.
Wishing Rafa a full and speedy recovery from his present injury and surgery.As of this moment I have just checked the ATP rankings.Rafa has played 13 tournaments this year as opposed to Novak and Roger having played 16.Rafa is No.2 in the world.I think this is extraordinary on Rafas behalf.This is why we his fans realize the brilliance of his superb tennis.Rafa has raised tennis to a new level.He is without equal.Only One Rafa.Here’s to an amazing 2019 for our champ .
Couldn’t have said it better.
He only played 9 (ATP site includes compulsory tournaments that Rafa had to miss) but that only strengthens both your comment and Rafa’s success.
Although Rafa’s withdrawal from the WTF was hardly unexpected, I still got those feelings of my heart sinking through the flloor, and panic and worry when I read the news this afternoon. I guess I was never cut out to be a sports fan, but then again I became a fan of someone who is so much more than a sports person – how else was it going to be?
There probably wasn’t much to be gained for Rafa from either Paris Bércy or WTF without 100% health and match fitness, other than minimising the points difference between himself and Novak, but that’s not worth the risk. Novak will probably end up 2000 points ahead – well, so be it. He’ll lose the #1 to somebody at some point too.
Hopefully neither of Rafa’s physical issues is too serious. The ankle thing sounds much like Djokovic’s elbow problem and he was back playing very shortly after the procedure (once he decided to have it). Goldwolf’s evaluation sounds about right.
Get well soon Rafa, I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow and every day, you’ll be back healthy and strong and rested next year, love you always.
Rafa playing at the WTF was never really on the cards, given the nature of his abdominal injury. We’ve been here so many times with Rafa’s end of season injuries, so rather than being sad that he couldn’t play to the very end, i’m confident that, with a sensible and realistic schedule, he’ll do well next year. Incidentally, his current physical state is also a good reason (or excuse) for him to pull out of the exhibition match in Saudi Arabia.
Rafa
I will l miss you playing but it is the right move to make to make your health top priority. No one brings the excitement to the courts like you do . No one ever has or can match what you bring. You are still considered #1 to most of us who watch Tennis and you will remain there as well. Novak is only in the #1 spot due to your injuries and not by his ability to play tennis great. he’s good but not like you, He can’t hold a candle to you. Anyway enough about him bad taste in my mouth now.
Rafa please get well I’m saving up so that I can see you in the French Open which you OWN. The King of Clay. My Cousin Allison got to met you at Indian Wells one year and she said you talked to her and took a selfie she said you were the nicest person she has ever met and let me tell you that is a BIG Complement coming from her. she is a walking angel on earth. I want to met you if I could but seeing you play the French Open is on my bucket list
love ya Rafa get well
Kathie
I’m going to the semis and the two people I really wanted to see were Rafa and del Potro – I think I must be a bad luck charm! If anything happens to Dominic Thiem, I’ll know I am. It’s the right decision: he never does well in London anyway. But I’m vaguely annoyed at all the “Nole is wonderful” posts the ATP are putting out – he’s done incredibly well to get back there from where he was earlier in the year, but it *is* by default! And well done to Karen Khachanov.
Rafa get well we need you at the tennis court is so excited to see you play ,the best player on the tour vamossssssssssss champ .rest for 2019 ❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️❤️❤️🌍🌍🌍