Rafael Nadal withdraws from Laver Cup due to ‘personal reasons’
Rafael Nadal has confirmed that he will withdraw from the Laver Cup in order to concentrate on his training schedule ahead of the Barcelona Open, which begins in ten days’ time.
The two-time Grand Slam champion had been due to play the event in Hainan on Tuesday with the event beginning Wednesday, but the draw for the tournament in Beijing was made after Rafael’s withdrawal.
“Unfortunately I had to withdraw from the Laver Cup,” Nadal said in a statement released by the Spanish Tennis Federation.
“I will not be able to play, and I will therefore not be able to participate in the Barcelona Open. I am sorry for those who are expecting to see me in action this summer. I am also sorry to all my family, which has been very worried by my recent situation.”
The 36-year-old added that he would not be in a hurry to return to competitions.
“My training programs have been interrupted for a while now; I will be able to continue them in the coming weeks, but I will have to do so without my usual partner, I am sorry for her too,” he added.
Nadal, who also announced that he would be playing the Rome Masters, in the U.S., in August, has already played 10 of his last 12 tournaments on clay in 2009, ending his clay season with a quarter-final in Indian Wells before falling to Joao Sousa in the semis.
Also on Wednesday, Joao Sousa, who has suffered a right wrist injury, withdrew from the event.
“I felt it was a good opportunity to play in a new and different stadium and I decided to bow out of the tournament and avoid complications,” Sousa stated in a statement.
“I thank all the players and the federation for allowing me a great opportunity to compete and I am looking forward to the Barcelona Open.”
Reigning US finalist Joao Souza withdrew from
