Nadal now in Oz sweat
RAFA NADAL has joined Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic as an injury doubt for the Australian Open after pulling out of the ATP Finals.
The world No.1 limped away from The O2 on Monday night after defeat by David Goffin. Nadal had tried to play through the pain of his knee injury but now faces a race to be fit for the first Grand Slam of next season.
Murray and Djokovic also face uncertainty as last year’s two London finalists have been out since the summer. Nadal has a long history of injuries and the Spaniard has pulled out of this event six times.
Greg Rusedski reckons Nadal’s gambled with next season by trying to finish 2017 with a seventh title.
The Sky Sports analyst said: “Maybe he took some painkillers or got an injection and said: ‘I’m going to play one match and that’s it’.”
But Nadal said: “No one put a gun to my head to come and play. I will be ready to start the season strong.”