Report: Rafael Nadal Will Have Surgery After Paris, Will Not Play In London Finals [Video]

by Tom Gainey |

According to a new report from IB3, Rafael Nadal will not play in the year-end ATP Finals. The World No. 3 will still play Basel then Paris, but then have surgery to remove his inflamed appendix at the start of November.

The timing of the surgery will give Nadal a full 6-8 weeks of recovery before the Australian Open and the start of the new season. If true, Nadal’s withdrawal also would bolster the hopes of Andy Murray’s qualification.

Nadal is expected to leave for Basel today via Cannes where he has a commercial commitment. Rafa has never won the ATP Finals and this marks the second time in the last three years he’ll miss the event.

There has been no confirmation on this from the Nadal camp, nor is one expected until after Paris.