Injured Nadal to Miss Davis Cup Final

on November 17, 2008 by Administrator

Rafael Nadal has pulled out of Spain’s Davis Cup final against Argentina. The world number one has been nursing a knee injury for months and has already seen both the Paris and Shanghai Masters tournaments slip away from him. Nadal’s doctor has warned the Spaniard that he could be out for at least another six weeks.

Nadal was forced to abandon his Masters Cup match against Nikolay Davydenko at the end of October amid fears that prolonged activity could exacerbate the tendinitis in his right knee. His rival, Roger Federer, also succumbed to injury during the Paris Masters but returned to action shortly afterwards.

Emilio Sanchez Vicario, the captain of the Spanish Davis Cup team, was disappointed to hear that Nadal had withdrawn from the match but remained adamant that his team could still be successful in the city of Mar del Plata. “We should not talk about Nadal anymore” he was quoted as saying. The captain continued to state that everyone should be trying to do their "best for Spain”.

Antoni Nadal, Rafael’s uncle and coach, was the first to express concern about his nephew’s fitness, and wrote off his chances as early as last week. ‘Uncle Toni’ told reporters that Rafael is still in a great deal of pain and had been training “very badly.”

Marcel Granollers has been chosen to replace Nadal in Argentina despite being ranked 56th in the ATP world rankings. Tommy Robredo – usually the most likely substitute for Nadal – is too unfit to play. Granollers is expected to make an appearance in the doubles matches but his involvement in other events may be limited.

The Davis Cup final begins on the 21st of November 2008 and lasts until the 23rd of that month.