World No.1 Rafael Nadal pulled out of the ATP Finals on Monday, as he had lost his fitness due to a knee injury after a defeat to David Goffin in three sets 7-6(5) 6-7(4) 6-4. He will be replaced in the game by the first replacement Pablo Carreno Busta, who is going to take Nadal’s spot in Group Pete Sampras.
Goffin defeated the world no.1 in his opening match of the end-of-season finale, which he has never achieved in his career. Nadal did well to avoid going 1-5 down in the third set, and also got qualified for the season ending tournament for the 13th continous successive year but pulled out.
“No, I am off. My season is finished. Yeah, I had the commitment to the event, with the city, with myself. I tried hard but I am not ready to play. It is not a decision at all, it is about the pain. I can’t hold with enough power to keep playing. I tried, but really it is a miracle to be very close in the score during the match. I know all the things that happened in the past when I had these things, and I know the treatment that I had to do. I know the periods of time that I need to work. Then if the treatment works or not, we will see.”, said Nadal after announcing his withdrawal from the finals.
Nadal has won 75 singles in his career, including 16 Grand Slams and 30 Masters events but he has still to achieve at the ATP Finals. The 2018 Australia Open begins in January, and since Nadal is withdrawing for treatment, it is not sure if he will be fit enough to participate in it.
