Rafael Nadal has succumbed to the back injury that hampered him at the Australian Open, withdrawing from next week’s ATP event in Rotterdam.
Nadal announced on Thursday that he had pulled out of the Rotterdam Open due to the back injury.
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The 20-time grand slam champ has been struggling with the issue for some time.
He was also been forced to skip Spain’s ATP Cup ties in Melbourne earlier this month.
“It is with great sadness that I have to forfeit from Rotterdam,” Nadal said in a statement on Thursday.
“As most of the fans know, I suffered some back problems in Australia that started in Adelaide and continued during Melbourne.
“We found a temporary solution that allowed me to play without pain in the second week of the tournament.
“Once I got back to Spain I visited my doctor and together with my team they’ve advised not to play this upcoming week.
“I was really looking forward to coming back to Rotterdam and The Netherlands since it’s been a while (since) I played there.”
Fans were left gutted by the news, wishing Nadal a speedy recovery on social media.
Mr. Nadal, very smart decision on your part. I’m sure all of your fans, including myself, wish you a very speedy recovery!
Before you know it…You’ll be feeling better than ever and be back dominating on the court! 💪
— Marlene (@wsjfan47) February 25, 2021
Don’t feel too bad. We know you really want to play but your health comes first. Take care and we’ll see you again in the next tournament. 🙂 Come back stronger Rafa! Rest well. 🤍
— SimplengInhinyero (@itsBabyArmy) February 25, 2021
Dear Rafa.
You must look after your health and glad your team are taking good care of you. Back issues of any kind be it muscular or vertebrae, needs care…Wishing you a Speedy Recovery to full health. Stay safe my Champion. Vamos Rafa🇪🇦🇪🇦☘☘— Lillian O’Connor (@Lillian14300098) February 25, 2021
Will miss you Rafa..!! Please take care and comeback with a boom 💥 Vamos 💪
— Keshav Singh (@iamkesh11) February 25, 2021
We wish you a good recovery, we will miss you, I’m looking forward to seeing you soon and as healthy as possible. VAMOS your team and VAMOS Rafa 💪💪💪❤️❤️❤️
— Hermine (@Herminea77) February 25, 2021
It is great sad to hear. Get well soon, can’t wait to see those passing shots in RG.
— Guru Paarvai (@Gurupaarvai) February 25, 2021
@RafaelNadal Rafa please don’t worry about tournaments your health is more important. Just rest & get better. I love you so much & I’m so sad you’re still in pain 😭xx
— Lana Angel Nadal (@Rafasgirlalways) February 25, 2021
Despite the injury, Nadal made it to the Australian Open quarter-finals without dropping a set.
He was eventually knocked out by Stefanos Tsitsipas, losing a five-set thriller despite winning the first two sets.
World No.3 Daniil Medvedev will replace Nadal as the top seed in the Rotterdam event, which will run from March 1-7.
Novak Djokovic’s message to Nadal and Federer
On Sunday, Novak Djokovic promised that as long as Nadal and Roger Federer keep adorning the sport, he’ll be duelling with them as the “three knights of tennis”.
After outplaying Medvedev in the Australian Open final, Djokovic laughed that his pre-match prediction about the ‘big three’ not being about to make way for the next generation had been “risky”.
But he was convinced his 18th grand slam was down to the inspiration he keeps taking from his race with Nadal and Federer, who both have 20 apiece.
Such was the 7-5 6-2 6-2 hammering that Medvedev took that the Russian was moved to call them – affectionately, he insisted – as “cyborgs of tennis”.
Asked what he’d call them, Djokovic couldn’t help smiling as he suggested “The Three Knights of Tennis” – a title that’s inevitably bound to stick now.
“I don’t know how else I would describe the three of us,” said Djokovic.
“Roger and Rafa inspire me. I’ll say it again. I mean, I think as long as they go, I’ll go!
“I think in a way it’s, like, a race who plays tennis more, I guess, and who wins more. It’s a competition between us in all areas.
“But I think that’s the very reason why we are who we are, because we do drive each other, we motivate each other, we push each other to the limit.”
with AAP
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