Rafael Nadal hopes to be fit for ATP World Tour Finals
World number one Rafael Nadal hopes play a part in the ATP World Tour Finals, due to start in London on 21 November, despite pulling out of the Paris Masters with a shoulder injury.
Nadal, who had been top seeded for the tournament in Paris, will miss the tournament after suffering tendinitis in his left shoulder.
The 24-year-old has already won the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open this year, but still regretted having to pull out of the competition.
"I'm very sorry for the tournament organisers, who've always treated me in a very special way, and especially sorry for all my fans in France and in Paris that I won't be able to be with them in one of my favourite cities in the world," Nadal was quoted
as saying by BBC Sport.
After winning his first US Open title on 13 September, Nadal lost to Jurgen Melzer at the Shanghai Open. But the top-ranked player was hopeful that his injury would not stop him from starting the finals at the O2 Arena.
"It is nothing to be worried about but the doctor told me I have to spend those days doing intensive treatment and functional rehabilitation with physiotherapy," Nadal said in a statement to the press on Friday, 5 November.
Looking to improve on last year's performance
The Spaniard added that he is looking forward to appearing at the ATP Finals after losing all of his three matches in the round-robin stage of the 2009 tournament.
"I am not worried at all about London. I will be back to practice soon, before next Sunday. I'm going to do all in my hands to play well [in London]. It's my goal to improve the image of last year."
The event will see the top eight players on the ATP Rankings face each other, will test Nadal's ability on a hard court, known to be his weakest surface.
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