Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam after advice from his doctors.
After his recent efforts in Melbourne, Australia where he reached the final of the Australian Open losing to Roger Federer, the world number six has taken it upon himself to take some extra rest and precaution going into a busy North American swing. The Spaniard was due to play in Rotterdam, but he released a statement on Facebook expressing his dissapointment at missing the event. Nadal said, ‘I am very sorry to announce I won’t be able to play in Rotterdam next week. After last year’s absence from some tournaments, I started this season well and made a significant effort during the Australian swing. It’s because of this that my doctors have strongly advised me to take it easy and give enough rest to my body before competing again to avoid further injuries. I fully understand that the Dutch fans will be disapointed. I am very thankful to Richard for the great support and understanding.”
Of course it is a big loss to the Dutch tournament and all tennis events as Nadal had started the season brilliantly, beating the likes of Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov at the start of the season and had been showing signs of the old Nadal. Today’s news will probably be for precaution rather than a setback as he knows that his body can give up on him at any time. On the setback for the tournament the tournament director Richard Krajicek said the following, ‘
Tournament Director Richard Krajicek: “It is obviuosly a big setback for us that he is not playing. We were, just as all the tennisfans, strongly looking forward to seeing him in action in Rotterdam. We immediately tried to get a proper replacement for him, but that proved impossible. In a short period we have contacted the complete top-five and Roger Federer, but unfortunately none of them was available on such a short notice.”
Following the withdrawal of Stan Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal, the top seed will now be Marin Cilic, with world number seven Dominic Thiem being the second seed. The tournament starts on the 13th of February and ends on the 19th of February.
