Rafael Nadal’s coach, Carlos Moya, has remained positive that the world number one can return to action in Paris next month.
The Spaniard retired from his US Open semi-final with Juan Martin Del Potro earlier this month and hasn’t returned since as he recovers from a knee injury.
The world number one has already withdrawn from tournaments in Beijing and Shanghai, with the rest of his season looking doubtful.
However Nadal’s coach, Carlos Moya, has given an interview to Television Espanola and explained that the whole team remains positive about his participation in Paris next month.
“We do not have deadlines, if everything goes well and everything is in order, we understand that he may be fine for Paris-Bercy. If it’s not Paris, it will be London and if not, then next year.”
The 32-year-old’s absence from Asia means that Novak Djokovic has a big opportunity to take the year end world number one after winning Wimbledon and the US Open in 2018.
When asked if Nadal is prioritising the world number one spot, Moya claimed that the Roland Garros champion is putting health first, “A month or month and a half ago, probably yes, but when you have an injury the top priority is to recover from that injury.”
Surprisingly, Djokovic has not taken a wildcard into Beijing and will look to gain more points in Shanghai, where he and Roger Federer will be favourites for the title.
As for Nadal he will lose 1,100 points over the next two weeks and will look to gain points in Paris and at the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
The Paris Masters starts on the 29th of October.
