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LONDON (Reuters) – Rafael Nadal has retired from the final ATP Tour in London next week because of an injury. Thus, Novak Djokovic will finish the year as the world number one after returning to the top of the standings on Monday.
Roland-Garros champion Nadal has announced that a problem in the abdominal muscles prevented him from participating in the Paris Masters last week. An operation at the ankle had forced him to withdraw from the end of season competition.
"Unfortunately, I had an abdominal problem in Paris last week and I also have an ankle joint problem that needs to be eliminated in the surgery room today." ", wrote the Grand Slam winner on 17 occasions on Twitter.
"In this way, I hope to be in great shape for next season."
American John Isner will take the place of the 32-year-old in London when the finals will be held Sunday. Kei Nishikori was also hired to replace Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, who had a knee injury.
The withdrawal of the Spanish Nadal in Paris allowed Djokovic to return to the top of the world rankings. The Serbian will become the first player since the introduction of the ATP rankings in 1973 to finish the year at the top of the number one ranking after coming out of the top 20 in the same season.
"Reflecting on what I experienced last year, it is a phenomenal feat," said Djokovic. "And, of course, I am very very happy and proud of that.
"Five months ago, if you told me, I would be – I still believe in myself, but it was very improbable at that time, given my ranking and my way of playing and feel on the ground. "
After missing the second half of the 2017 season because of his annoying elbow, Djokovic returned earlier this year but the injury resumed at the Australian Open and he decided to have surgery.
He was eliminated from Roland Garros as the 20th seed in the quarter-finals before embarking on a great race.
Djokovic beat Nadal in a semifinal thriller at Wimbledon before ending a two-year Grand Slam drought by beating Kevin Anderson in the final.
A few weeks later, he beat Del Potro in the final to win the US Open and last month he won the Shanghai Masters title without losing a set.
"What Novak has achieved this season should be considered one of the biggest sporting returns." It was a phenomenal comeback that would have been hard to imagine just six months ago, "said Chris Kermode, Executive Chairman. from ATP.
"He deserves his full return to # 1 in the ATP standings and should be incredibly proud of his outstanding season."
The dominant Djokovic race ended Sunday with a 7-5 6-4 victory over Russian Kharen Khachanov in the Paris Masters final.
(The story has been corrected to correct paragraph six to clarify that Djokovic did not start the year outside the top 20)
(Report by Christian Radnedge, edited by Ed Osmond)
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