The abrupt end to Rafael Nadal’s season is disappointing for fans who hoped to see him play in the Paribas Masters this week and in London two weeks hence, at the ATP World Tour Finals.
But the Spaniard's determination to address two physical issues in the coming weeks probably is good news for those who hope to watch him compete early next year – at the Australian Open, beginning January 19, and at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, which begins January 1.
Nadal cited nagging back problems as well as a need for an appendectomy when calling time to his season, at the weekend.
“I need five weeks of rest and I want to have one month to try to work as much as I can to be ready for 2015,” he said. “The only way to work on being fit is to be healthy. I need to fix all the things in my body first.”
Recovery time from an appendectomy is four to six weeks, which could have the world No 3 back on the court early in December and rounding into shape ahead of Abu Dhabi’s elite, six-man competition.
If Nadal’s plans proceed as planned, Abu Dhabi likely will mark his return to competitive tennis, which could attract more global attention to the seventh edition of the tournament.
The fact that he will play two top-tier opponents should provide a clue as to how quickly he will return to form ahead of the grand slam event in Melbourne.
poberjuerge@thenational.ae
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