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.
Former world no. 1 tennis star Rafael Nadal has further delayed his comeback after pulling out of the upcoming Qatar Open.
With U.S Open winner Carlos Alcaraz of Spain withdrawing due to an injury, his compatriot Rafael Nadal has been given the top billing in the men's singles draw in the Australian Open, starting in a few days.
Nadal also expressed how hopeful he is about the upcoming Australian open as he claimed that he is confident enough and his past few practice sessions are going well.
The Spanish megastar lost his first match of this season against Cameron Norrie and now lost his second match against Australia's Alex de Minaur in three games as the hosts took a lead of 1-0 in their Group D encounter.
Djokovic fans chanted “Novak Novak” when he walked onto the court. Previously, Novak, after a controversy relating to his vaccination status and his anti-vax statements, was held over by the Australian Border Force.
This was Nadal’s first US Open Match since he clinched the Grand Slam title back in 2019.
While Daniil Medvedev of Russia will enter the US Open as the No. 1 player in the ATP Rankings, there may be a significant change in the standings in New York with five players vying for the top spot: Nadal, Medvedev, Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, and Casper Ruud of Norway.
Tsitsipas will play world number one Daniil Medvedev in a gripping semifinal after the top-ranked Russian was too strong for American Taylor Fritz.
Nadal's defeat ends his bid for a return to the top spot in the ATP Rankings this week. The World No. 3 will have another chance to leapfrog Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev at the US Open.
If the Spaniard wins the ATP Masters 1000 title and current World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev fails to reach the quarterfinals, Nadal would rise to the top of the ATP Rankings.
