Former world No.1 Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the National Bank Open on Tuesday as he continues his recovery from injury.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion had been due to play in Toronto in what would have been only his second tournament since the French Open in June. In recent weeks, Nadal has been hampered with a left foot injury which at one stage sidelined him from the sport for 20 days. He returned to competition last week at the Citi Open where he won his opening match before losing to South Africa’s Lloyd Harris.
However, the foot issue continues to be a problem for the Spaniard. In a video message issued via the National Bank Open social media accounts, the 35-year-old said his foot ‘is not ready’ but didn’t elaborate any further on what the exact issue is. It is unclear if he has suffered a flare-up as a consequence of playing last week.
“I really wanted to play here a lot, but now is the moment to make a decision, and this is unfortunately the decision that I have taken.” Nadal said in a press release.
“I have had this issue for a couple of months, as people know. Of course, it is not a happy situation after all the success that I had here in Canada, not being able to play this year after missing a year. It’s a tough one, but that’s how it is today.”
Nadal’s absence means that the National Bank Open will be taking place without any member of the Big Three for the first time since 2001. Novak Djokovic has opted to take an extended break from the Tour ahead of the US Open. Meanwhile, Roger Federer is sidelined with a knee injury.
As it currently stands, Nadal is still on the entry list for the Cincinnati Open which will be the last top event taking place before the start of the US Open later this month. He recently admitted that he is looking to gain confidence on the court once again.
“I need to find again the positive feelings with my foot,” he said last week in Washington
“I really need to have a couple of weeks with less pain to have the confidence again on my movements, knowing that I will be able to go out and compete for a long time.”
Nadal will be replaced in the Toronto draw by lucky loser Feliciano Lopez.
