Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal is set to drop out of the top 10 rankings for the first time in almost 18 years, following his decision to withdraw from the American ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.
Nadal out of top-10 after 18 years
Nadal, who holds an impressive record of being the only tennis player to have remained in the top 10 since April 2005, will lose the points he earned at Indian Wells where he made the final last year.
The official announcement of his withdrawal from the tournaments came after rumors had been circulating for some time, and it marks the end of an era for the tennis legend.
The news has come as a blow to fans, who were looking forward to seeing him play in these two significant events on the ATP calendar.
Injury and recovery
Nadal was injured during his second-round match at the Australian Open, which saw him lose against American MacKenzie McDonald. During that match, Nadal suffered a muscle problem, and according to initial indications, he was expected to return directly after 6-8 weeks.
The Spaniard took to social media to update fans on his progress, saying that he had started rehab, gym, and physiotherapy as advised by doctors and was working towards returning to the court in the best possible condition.
Nadal expressed his sadness at not being able to compete in the upcoming ATP 1000 events. In a tweet, he said, “I am sad that I won’t be able to compete at Indian Wells nor Miami. Very sad not to be there. I’ll miss all my US fans, but I hope to see them later this year during the summer swing.”
Nadal’s impressive rankings record
Nadal’s longevity and rankings records are impressive. He has held a top 10 spot for a total of 17 years, 10 months, and 23 days or 912 weeks, making him the only tennis player to have achieved this feat.
The next closest player is Jimmy Connors, with 788 weeks in the top 10, followed by Roger Federer, with 674 weeks.
However, he will still be 56 weeks behind breaking Federer’s record of most overall weeks in the ATP top 10. Nadal is a 22-time Grand Slam title winner and has made significant contributions to the sport, leaving an indelible mark in tennis history.
Return to the court
Nadal is expected to return to the ATP tournament in Monte Carlo and prepare for the clay season. Tournament officials expressed their wishes for Nadal’s quick recovery and hope to see him back at the BNP Paribas Open next year.
While his absence from the tournaments is a disappointment to fans, Nadal’s health and recovery are the top priorities. His dedicated rehabilitation efforts and commitment to returning to the court in the best possible condition are commendable and are a testament to his passion and love for the sport.
