Injury forces Rafael Nadal out of ATP Finals, Novak Djokovic to finish year as No 1

ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal grimace

Rafael Nadal will miss the ATP World Tour Finals due to injury, meaning Novak Djokovic will finish the year as the world No 1.

The Spaniard was forced to pull out of last week’s Paris Masters due to an abdominal injury and he has failed to recover in time for next week’s season-ending finale.

Added to that, he will undergo surgery on a troublesome ankle.

“It has been a complicated year, very good at the tennis level when I was able to play, and at the same time very bad as far as injuries are concerned,” the 17-time Grand Slam winner wrote on Twitter.

“Unfortunately, I had the abdominal problem in Paris last week and, in addition, I 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 it for a long time and from time to time it bothered me. However, since the problem in the abdominal muscle also prevents me from playing in London, we take advantage of the moment to remove the free body and avoid future problems.

“This way I hope to be in full condition for the next season.”

American John Isner will replace Nadal in the draw for the ATP Finals while his absence means Djokovic, who only returned to the top of the rankings on Monday after a two-year absence, is assured as finishing the year as No 1 for the fifth time in his career.

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