Former men's tennis world number one Rafael Nadal's long-awaited return after an agonising six-month knee injury battle has been put off because of a stomach infection he revealed on his Twitter and Facebook sites yesterday
The 26-year-old Spaniard — who hasn’t played since his shock second round exit to 100th-ranked Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon in June — had been due to play in a six player exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi this week ahead of his return to the ATP circuit at Doha from December 31.
Rafael Nadal
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He was due to join world number one Novak Djokovic and US Open champion Andy Murray among others at the three day event. “I am really sorry but I cannot compete this year in Abu Dhabi,” wrote the seven-time French Open champion and presently ranked number four in the world.
“Everything was ready and I was really eager to return to competition, but the doctors have forbidden me to participate in Abu Dhabi because of a viral infection of the stomach which has provoked a fever.”
Nadal, an 11-time Grand Slam title winner, has been plagued by knee injuries throughout his career, a legacy of his all-action style.
But earlier this week he shrugged off any fears that despite falling to number four in the world rankings, he is no longer a threat to Djokovic, Murray and World No 2 Roger Federer. “I haven’t forgotten how to play. I have played over 600 ATP matches and I have spent two years without playing. My feeling is good. I won Roland Garros and those emotions are still me. The doctors say the knee is fine and that is great news for me. I still feel something, it’s not perfect.”u00a0
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