World No.2 and Spanish stalwart Rafael Nadal announced discouraging news just before Spain’s first ATP Cup 2021 group stage match against Australia. He was scheduled to play Alex De Minaur in the singles tie but now has withdrawn due to a back injury. More importantly, this raises questions on his fitness ahead of the Australian Open 2021.
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Rafael Nadal during his earlier match. REUTERS/Morgan Sette
Rafa Nadal announced the sad news on Twitter. Nadal revealed that a stiff back will keep him out of the first group stage match. He gave his best wishes to his Spanish teammates, Pablo Carreno Busta, Roberto Bautista Agut, and Marcel Granollers.
Who will replace Rafael Nadal in the first match at ATP Cup 2021?
In Rafa’s absence, it is Roberto Bautista Agut who will face Alex De Minaur. This also means that Pablo Carreno Busta will open the Spain-Australia fixture in the first singles tie.
Nadal himself has been very confident about the Spanish team. Rafa has lauded the depth the Spanish team has. Now the depth in the form of Carreno Busta and Bautista Agut will come in handy in the absence of Nadal.
Hi all, we have decided with #TeamSpain and my team, to not play today the first match of the @ATPCup here in #Melbourne since I have a stiff low back. Hopefully I’ll be better for Thursday. We have a strong team, all the to @pablocarreno91 @BautistaAgut & @M_Granollers #vamos 🇪🇸
A stiff back is generally a minor injury. Nadal is hopeful of getting fit before the final group stage match against Greece. He is scheduled to play World No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas on Thursday.
But the injury raises also questions about Nadal’s Australian Open 2021 campaign. Although he will most likely recover in a week, there will be doubts about his Aussie Open challenge.
Wishing you all the best @RafaelNadal. We hope to see you back on court soon 👊 🇪🇸 #TeamSpain | #ATPCup
Hi all, we have decided with #TeamSpain and my team, to not play today the first match of the @ATPCup here in #Melbourne since I have a stiff low back. Hopefully I’ll be better for Thursday. We have a strong team, all the to @pablocarreno91 @BautistaAgut & @M_Granollers #vamos 🇪🇸
Furthermore, Nadal still holds a small chance of surpassing Novak Djokovic for the World No.1 spot. But now it becomes more difficult for Nadal as he will require Spain to reach the ATP Cup 2021 final and he will have to win every match if he wants a shot at the World No.1 ranking.
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