Rafael Nadal withdraws from Paris Masters with knee problem

Last updated on .From the section Tenniscomments73

Nadal
Rafael Nadal beat Pablo Cuevas in three sets on Thursday

World number one Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Paris Masters with a knee injury.

The Spaniard was due to face Serb Filip Krajinovic in the quarter-finals on Friday, but pulled out with a right knee problem before the match.

Nadal had the knee strapped during his third-round win over Pablo Cuevas.

Juan Martin del Potro missed out on securing the final qualifying spot for the ATP World Tour Finals as he was beaten 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 by John Isner.

Nadal said he would "do his best" to return for the season-ending event in London, which takes place from 12-19 November.

"For me it's not about London. For me it's about the longer term," he added.

"And longer term, I'm going to do the treatment I believe that is going to be more safe and more important to keep playing tennis as long as possible."

Argentine Del Potro had to win to feature in London, but American Isner ensured he stayed in contention for the World Tour Finals with a hard-fought victory in two hours and 12 minutes.

Either Isner, compatriot Jack Sock and Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta will take the final qualifying spot.

However, Del Potro will return to the top 10 in the world rankings on Monday for the first time since July 2014 at the expense of Novak Djokovic.

The Serb 12-time Grand Slam champion will drop out of the top 10 for the first time since 2007.

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73 comments

  • Comment posted by U16503848, at 14:14 3 Nov 2017

    Hope he recovers fully for the ATP Tour finals - be a shame if he can't compete.

  • Comment posted by nolant, at 14:27 3 Nov 2017

    You could see he was obviously in quite serious pain last evening and had to go "all the way" so I'm not surprised he's had to give in today. I hope he'll be fit for Tour Finals but it's only a few days away. If there's any doubt about fitness I hope he let's that one go as well and concentrates on Australian Open. He's not a fan of indoor tournaments and these have caused him a few problems.

  • Comment posted by Karinium, at 14:17 3 Nov 2017

    Hopefully it is not too serious and he can continue his rivalry with Federer next year.

  • Comment posted by U16651053, at 14:52 3 Nov 2017

    Sounds precautionary - he's sensible enough to know when to leave it these days.

    Hope to see him at the O2!

  • Comment posted by Sydenham Eagle, at 15:58 3 Nov 2017

    @14 Always staggers me that people can't give Murray the credit he warranted for becoming World No.1. From the French Open onwards his performances were outstanding - it's hardly his fault that Djokovic was injured or lost focus.. Virtually any other pro out there would love his record of 3 Slams, 2 Olympic Golds, Davis Cup and No.1 ranking! Arguably the greatest sportsman we've ever had!

  • Comment posted by Rob, at 15:13 3 Nov 2017

    Even though I’m very much a Fededer fan, I admire the way Rafa has fought back to World No1 especially as there were whispers that because of the physical exertion he’s put on his knees he would only play on clay for the remainder of his career a couple of years ago.

    Hopefully this is precautionary and we’ll have some epic Fed vs Rafa moments again next season.

  • Comment posted by gazismad, at 14:48 3 Nov 2017

    Nadal has achieved his goal this week season ending no 1. He was probably never fit enough to win the tournament this week but gained the points needed to deny Federer
    Rafa has never won the tour Final By this stage of the season he is always struggling physically due to the style of his game
    Federer last man standing at Tour Final although he is nursing a bad back

  • Comment posted by GOATers, at 16:36 3 Nov 2017

    Tennis is a hard sport with demanding seasons. For single players it is tough to go through a full year without injuries.

    My respect to Nadal for his achievements this year. Specially at this age.

  • Comment posted by Lucifer38, at 14:42 3 Nov 2017

    I hope he pulls out of London as well. He will end the year as no 1 and should get to Melbourne as the top seed. He and his team are great at managing his health and well being. I hope he just has a two month break now and gets refreshed for 2018

  • Comment posted by Robbie, at 15:49 3 Nov 2017

    The Australian open was great this year at the start of the season, but sadly that was the only slam where the top 4 were all fit. I think it is the fact that they are all aging now, but there is no new talent to come and grab the crown. Worrying for men’s tennis I feel.

  • Comment posted by RedOctober, at 16:53 3 Nov 2017

    31 is hardly old age.

  • Comment posted by nffc_1978, at 16:38 3 Nov 2017

    Del Potro could still get in if others (including possibly Nadal and Federer) withdraw. Every chance of a match as a dead rubber alternate, at least!

  • Comment posted by dpm180, at 20:25 3 Nov 2017

    Nadal has had an amazing year and although a shame for the spectators he has to look at the bigger picture and withdraw from this tournament.Hopefully he will be fit for the Tour Finals, which are fast becoming a survival of the fittest.

    @ Buzfuz

    I think Del Potro is a favourite with all tennis fans.

  • Comment posted by U16231627, at 19:53 3 Nov 2017

    It'll be a great shame if Nadal withdraws from the ATP finals, but far better that than pulling out mid tournament and giving us a dead rubber. But I hope Del Potro squeezes in somehow. But for his bad luck with injuries, he would've been at least on a par with Murray, and he's a great sport and modest to boot - and has real charisma. I really hope he wins at least a couple more majors.

  • Comment posted by Kev1983, at 16:13 3 Nov 2017

    People (understandably) get annoyed at players pulling out of tournament as they have paid good money to see there favorite players.. But given the amount of top players who keep getting injured Do the powers that be not think maybe there are too many tournaments? These guys and Girls could easily be on tour for about 50 weeks of the year..not something we expect of most athletes!

  • Comment posted by jaycee, at 19:10 3 Nov 2017

    #39. To be fair dominating your sport isn't the only criteria for greatness. Not his fault that he is playing at the same time as 3 other legends. Also you don't have to be THE greatest ever sportsman to be given the respect you deserve as an excellent competitor.

  • Comment posted by RedOctober, at 17:01 3 Nov 2017

    There are some good young players out there but I think gone are the days when you had teenage players winning winning GS's.

  • Comment posted by billysere, at 14:48 3 Nov 2017

    if he isnt fit for the finals i hope he doesnt risk it would rather he was fully fit for the slams next year.

    On a side note his done my bet a favour, hopefully JMDP can reach the final now

  • Comment posted by Leg theory not bodyline, at 17:48 3 Nov 2017

    Why should he compete in the ATP finals anyway? They are never played on clay or a slower surface, always on something that suits Federer. Nadal should boycott the finals whilst Federer ducks the clay court season.

  • Comment posted by mustymarks, at 17:07 3 Nov 2017

    At #12,

    You yourself might be taking some kind of substances to make such absurd comments.
    Have any one of the top players, apart from Sharapova, been found guilty of such acts.
    Sometimes its best to keep ourselves away if we have evil / twisted / poisonous minds rather than contaminate others.

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