Spanish tennis superstar Rafael Nadal, out of action since June, will miss the ATP Tour Finals in London and also next week’s Paris indoor event at Bercy owing to his injured left knee, the ATP Tour announced on Thursday.
Nadal had hoped to make London and potentially the Davis Cup final, but the world No.4 has been fighting a losing fitness battle.
“It’s disappointing for me to miss the last two tournaments of the season in Paris and London, but it doesn’t come as a surprise,” said French Open winner Nadal.
“I will hopefully resume my tennis practice soon since I am making good progress with my recovery from injury. I am not ready to compete in time for these events so I will continue my recovery in Mallorca and work hard to be back as soon as possible.”
The former world No.1 has not played a competitive match since his shock loss to unseeded Czech Lukas Rosol in the second round at Wimbledon on June 28.
The 26-year-old Mallorcan has been suffering Hoffa syndrome, an inflammation of the fatty tissue situated behind the kneecap in his left knee.
He declared in late September that he would not return to the circuit until he was 100 per cent fit.
Nadal missed the London Olympics and the US Open, but had hoped he might make the year-ending ATP Tour Finals in London from November 5-12 and then the Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic in Prague.
Both events will take place on hardcourts, which are more likely to aggravate existing injuries than Nadal’s preferred surface of clay.
Brad Drewett, ATP president, said: “We wish Rafa all the best as he continues his rehabilitation from injury.
“Rafa is an incredible champion and it goes without saying that he has been missed on the ATP World Tour over the past few months.
“We look forward to welcoming him back on the tour very soon.”