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.
Nadal defeated Tsonga 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 to set up a semifinal clash against Canadian rising star Denis Shapovalov, a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Gael Monfils.
Nadal will next meet Swiss Stan Wawrinka at 12 am (IST) on 1 November.
If Nadal manages to finish at the top of the rankings by the end of the year, it would be the fifth time that he would achieve the feat in his career, thus tying him with Djokovic, Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors.
Nadal married Perello after being together for 14 years, in a ceremony on the Spanish Mediterranean island of Mallorca on Saturday.
Nadal, the 19-time grand slam champion, tied the knot with 31-year-old Perello at La Fortaleza, with a reported 350 guests invited to a private ceremony.
