Nadal withdraws from Qatar Open, says ‘not ready to compete’
Former world no. 1 tennis star Rafael Nadal has further delayed his comeback after pulling out of the upcoming Qatar Open.
Spain tennis star Rafael Nadal eased past Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday at the Paris Masters to qualify for the round of 16. Meanwhile, the World No 2 also maintained his 1,280-point lead over Novak Djokovic in the ATP Race To London.
“I know how dangerous Adrian is in this court. The court here is fast, the bounce is low, so I think is a perfect court for him,” Nadal was quoted as saying on ATP Tour website. “So I went on court knowing it (was) going to be very tough one. I needed to play well, and I think I did. My serve worked very well during the whole match. I think I played at the right level.
“Not easy to come back on the Tour after a while without being on the Tour. And playing in this surface… and against a very dangerous opponent, in the first round for me, second for him. So (I’ m) very happy with the victory.”
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Nadal will next meet Swiss Stan Wawrinka at 12 am (IST) on 1 November. Wawrinka who inched Croatian Marin Cilic 7-6(3), 7-6(5) in just under two hours.
Rafa’s up & running in Paris 💪@stanwawrinka awaits… 👀@RafaelNadal | @RolexPMasters pic.twitter.com/649JF2pxWA
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 30, 2019
Talking about Djokovic, he beat Frenchman Corentin Moutet earlier Wednesday and is looking to pass Nadal in the Race and finish as the year-end No 1 for the sixth time. But Nadal controls his destiny. If the Spaniard wins his first Rolex Paris Masters crown, he will end the year No. 1 for the fifth time.
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