World number 4, Rafael Nadal’s return from a knee injury has been delayed further after he pulled out of this week’s exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi with a bad stomach.
Bad stomach stops the awaited Rafael Nadal return
Nadal has not played for seven months now. His last match was in Wimbledon where he suffered a shock defeat at the hands of little known Czech Lukas Rosol in just the second round.
The Spanish sportsperson made the announcement on his Facebook page on Christmas, saying he was “very disappointed” to miss out after seven months on the sidelines with a left knee problem.
A stomach infection has reportedly caused his illness this time with this year’s French Open champion claiming that he has recovered fully from the left knee problem that had forced him out at the first place.
“Everything was ready and I am eager to return to competition but the doctors have forbidden me from competing in Abu Dhabi due to a stomach infection that has left me with a fever,” Nadal wrote. “My recovery has gone well – my knees are better – and I was eager to return to competition. I’m sorry for my fans in the Emirates and throughout the world. I hope to be there the coming year. I am very disappointed that I will not be able to compete in Abu Dhabi this year.”
Nadal has been suffering from this injury which has seen him drop down in the ranking below Federer, Djokovic and Murray. He was unable to compete in the last two Grand Slams as well as the London Olympics.
Rafael Nadal is now expected to be fit for his warm up matches before the season’s first grand slam, i.e., the Australian Open which starts on the 14th of January.
Tags: Abu Dhabi, Andy Murray, Australian Open, Christmas, Czech, Facebook, Grand Slam, Lukas Rosol, Novak Djokovic, Qatar Open, Rafael Nadal, Sportsperson, Tennis, UAE, United Arab Emirates
