ATP No.1 Rafael Nadal has announced his withdrawal from the Paris Masters due to injury. The Spaniard has played down the seriousness of the recent knee injury but has stated that he will be fit to play in the World Tour finals later this month.
After defeating Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3 in the third round of the Paris Masters, Nadal acknowledged on Thursday night that his knee was "not 100 percent fit", as media reports suggest.
During the match, Nadal caused a stir when the Spaniard called his trainer to check the strapping on his right knee after losing the second set. Nadal's knee has plagued many problems over the years he has bounced back to clinch the French and US Open titles. His recent withdrawal from the Basel Open has been due to knee soreness which his arch-rival Roger Federer clinched.
"The way that I am today, I do not see myself playing three more matches," Nadal said at the press conference prior to his quarterfinal match against qualifier Serbian Filip Krajinovic.
"The knee is always bothering a little bit but sometimes it's worse," he added.
Despite an injury playing a major role in the Spaniard's career over the years, Nadal has bounced back to regain the No.1 spot after winning six titles, including his 10th Roland Garros trophy and third US Open crown.
"For me it's not about London, it's about longer term," Nadal said referring to the ATP Finals, the season-ending tournament which is set to be held in London between November 12-19.
Nadal needed one win at the Paris Masters to end the year as world No. 1, a feat he accomplished at the expense of South Korean Hyeon Chung in the round of 32.
(With Agency Inputs).
