US Open champion Rafael Nadal was forced to withdraw from the Laver Cup 2019 on Day 3 due to an inflammation in his hand. However, the Spaniard has revealed that the hand injury will not impact the remaining part of the season.
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Rafael Nadal believes that the inflammation in his hand will not change his schedule for the remaining part of the season and will be ready to play after some rest.
“The hand is a little bit inflamed after New York. I had a little bit of initiative in New York and then obviously the body always feels down a little bit. So I felt a little bit the first day here then a little bit more every day,” Nadal said in the post-tournament press conference.
The 19-time Grand Slam champion explained that he tried to be ready to play after an infiltration on the second day of the 2019 Laver Cup. However, things got worse on Sunday morning and he didn’t see a point to play when he is not at his best.
He further continued: “Yesterday I did an infiltration to play honestly so I just tried to be ready to play. When you do an infiltration the next day you can be a little bit better. It can be the same or can be worse. Honestly, today in the morning was worst so I really don’t see a real reason to make another infiltration to play because I will not be at my 100 percent and if I am not at my 100 percent, there is another player better than me.”
“Honestly, the best decision for the team is that we make Dominic play it on my singles spot and Stefanos on the doubles and both of them make a good job,” the Mallorcan added.
Talking about his schedule ahead, Rafael Nadal said: “On my end of the year, I really believe and hope that this problem will not change my personal calendars or my personal goals. I think I need some rest. I’ll take some days off with the family and friends.”
The Spaniard had defeated Milos Raonic in the singles match on Day 2 but lost the doubles tie partnering with Stefanos Tsitsipas. He was scheduled to play the doubles match partnering with his arch-rival Roger Federer against Jack Sock and John Isner. Nadal was also committed to play a singles match against Nick Kyrgios. He was replaced by Dominic Thiem in the singles and Stefanos Tsitsipas for doubles.
