Archive for: withdraw

Rafael Nadal withdraws from Paris-Bercy Masters

In a message announced via the social networks of Facebook and Twitter, Rafal Nadal today announced his withdrawal from the Paris Masters …

“Hi all. I won’t be playing this upcoming week the tournament in Paris Bercy. It’s been a difficult decision to take but I understand that it is what I need to do right now to prepare well for the end of this season and also for 2012. I hope I can be back in 2012 to that great event in the most beautiful city in the world, and hopefully try to win it once day.”

Interesting that there is no mention of a withdrawal for physical issues, so before going on to discuss whether he has made the correct decision, there’s one question which is needed to be explored first  and that is … can he?

Rafa is perhaps one of the most vocal of the top players when it comes to the length of the schedule and the mandatory nature of the number of tournaments to play.  For Masters 1000 series that number totals eight, and whilst he has already participated in that number to date, the Monte Carlo Masters as an optional event counts only towards to the required number of 500 series. Rafa needed to compete in Paris to complete the statutory number.   So if he’s not citing injury, how can he possibly withdraw without incurring a penalty?

The ATP rules state that a player’s Masters 1000 commitment can be reduced by one tournament if (1) they have played 600 matches following 1st January of that commitment year; (2) they have 12 years of service; or (3) they are 31 years of age following 1st January of that commitment year.  Well (2) and (3) are out for Rafa, and whilst I’ve known that the 600 match mark was coming, I did believe that he would only pass that milestone next year.  Not so.  It seems that Rafa has benefited from a little quirk in the rulings in that from 2010 onwards, only the ATP World Tour, World Tour Finals, Grand Slams, Davis Cup and Olympics count towards this commitment, but any Challenger or Futures matches played before 2010 do still count.  As Rafa played Challengers and Futures pre-2010, he exceeds his 600 tally for this commitment tour.

Au revoir Paris!

So whilst its sad for those fans who will miss out on seeing that great Champion there, is it the right decision for Rafa?  All things considered, for me its a resounding “yes”.  Indoor tennis on fast hardcourts has never suited Rafa’s game and he is least successful on them.  After a gruelling season where unlike his counterparts, Rafa has had to face the re-juvenated Novak Djokovic six (unsuccessful) times, a bit of additional time off to rest not only his body, but his spirit is perhaps called for.  In fact, it is very refreshing to to find that at this stage of the season, Rafa doesn’t have any injury woes because as he approaches his 26th year and 8th season in the top flight, keeping fit and healthy is tantamount.

With all that Rafa has achieved in tennis, I’m sure that he can rest easy perhaps never having his hands on the ever increasingly bizarre piece of sculpture that is the Paris Bercy trophy.  Working hard for 2012 is perhaps the best thing to do, along with positioning himself as best as possible for the World Tour Finals and perhaps the main singular personal goal that is left for Rafa this season … lifting the Davis Cup.

Venus Williams Backs Out of French Open

Venus Williams, a former world number one and Grand Slam Champion, has withdrawn from the French Open, after her abdominal injury proved to not be sufficiently recovered.

30-year-old Williams joined her sister Serena on the sidelines after announcing her withdrawal from the only Grand Slam on clay. Williams played her last match at the 2011 Australian Open, which triggered an abdominal injury that has not recovered well enough.

The French Open, which will be held from May 22 to June 5, will be the first Grand Slam to not have a Williams sister in the draw since the 2003 U.S. Open.

Venus has never won the French Open, only getting to the final in 2002, where she eventually lost to sister Serena.

Best of luck to you Venus, and get well soon!

Dinara Safina Withdraws from Wimbledon

Dinara Safina has withdrawn from Wimbledon due to the lower back injury that has plagued her since November. Last year Safina reached the semifinals of Wimbledon and was set to be seeded 20th for this years Championships.

Safina’s seeded spot in the draw has been taken by Melanie Oudin, who made a dramatic run to the U.S. Open quarterfinals last year, and he main draw birth has been taken by Stephanie Dubois of Canada.

Ivo Karlovic Withdraws from Wimbledon with Foot Injury

The big serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic has withdrawn from Wimbledon with a foot injury. Karlovic reached the quarterfinals last year, so he is going to lose a lot of ranking points. Im sure the points are the least of his worries, especially considering with the size of his serve and how good his volleys are, he would have a chance of doing very well.

The 6-foot-10 Karlovic has been bothered for months by an Achilles tendon injury in his right foot and also missed the French Open.

With his withdrawal Thursday, Romania’s Victor Hanescu was elevated one spot in the seedings at No. 32.

Mario Ancic Ruled Out of Wimbledon and Davis Cup Against USA

Mario Ancic has ruled himself out of Wimbledon and the Davis Cup tie against the USA. Ancic has still not completely healed from his mononucleosis which he first got two years ago and he has opted to take a break from tennis.

“Don’t ask me when I’ll return, because I don’t even know the answer myself. Health is most important. I have to listen to my body. The fact that I cancelled my favourite tournament (Wimbledon) and an important match with Americans, tells it all about the seriousness of the situation.”. said Mario Ancic.

Kei Nishikori Withdraws from The French Open

Kei Nishikori of Japan is withdrawing from the French Open because of an injured right elbow.

Nishikori has not played since losing in the first round at Indian Wells, Calif., in March.

He was honored as the ATP’s newcomer of the year for 2008, in part because of his run to the fourth round of the U.S. Open. He was the first Japanese man since 1937 to make it that far at that tournament.

Once ranked as high as No. 56, Nishikori is currently 117th. He has played only 10 tour matches this year.

The French Open begins Sunday.