Paris Masters: Rafael Nadal Retires from Quarterfinal

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Paris masters earlier today. Nadal was supposed to face Filip Krajinovic in his quarterfinal later tonight. But he announced his withdrawal citing a knee injury. Rafael Nadal sealed the year-end rankings for the world number one battle with a victory over Chung Hyeon in his second round match up in Paris. Nadal has also qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals that is due to start on the 12of November at the London O2 arena.

“I have to pull out,” Nadal said at a press conference. “Of course, it’s a very hard decision for me, especially — pulling out from any event is tough, but especially from here, from Paris. As I said a lot of times, it’s the most important city in my career, without a doubt.”

“I am sad enough to pull out from here. It’s a tournament that I have a lot of people that I know very well around the organization, all the same people that organize Roland Garros. I feel like home here and for the relationship that I have with the French Federation, with everybody, it’s a very tough day for me. So it’s not the right day to talk about London,” Nadal said. “Only thing I’m going to say, I’m going to do my treatment, do my best to be playing in London, but I cannot talk about that now because it’s a day that is tough enough for me to pull out from here.”

Consequences of Nadal withdrawal from Paris Masters

Nadal was bidding for his first ever title in Paris, having finished as a runner up in 2007. Rafael Nadal is currently focusing on staying fit for the last tournament of the ATP 2017 calendar. He has already qualified for the ATP world tour finals in London. His would be opponent, Filip Krajinovic, will face John Isner. The American defeated the Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro in three tight sets. Nadal’s withdrawal from Paris might just be an indication that he is playing it safe. However, it remains to be seen whether or not he competes at the ATP world tour finals.