Rafael Nadal Pulls Out From Buenos Aires

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 7th February 2014

Rafael Nadal Pulls Out From Buenos Aires

epa04042591 Rafael Nadal of Spain delivers a press conference after being defeated by Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 26 January 2014. Wawrinka won the championship. EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA |

The aftermath of the back issues Rafael Nadal suffered in the Australian Open final, allied to a stomach upset, have forced the world no.1 to pull out of next week’s Copa Claro tournament in Buenos Aires.

Nadal has not been able to train properly since returning home to Majorca from Melbourne 11 days ago and said he regretted having to make this “sad decision”.

The 27 year-old feels a great obligation to take top flight tennis to South America after touring there during the off season with Novak Djokovic and was intending another concerted effort after making his comeback from a seven months absence in the continent last year.

“I want to make an announcement that really fills me with sadness — I will not be able to play in the tournament in Buenos Aires,” he said in a video posted on his official YouTube page.

“Also, I got a stomach virus this morning that has not allowed me to train and I’ve had to delay everything. We’re three days away from the start of the tournament and, without being able to train a single day on court since Australia it’s made it impossible for me to be adequately prepared to compete in a tournament as important as Buenos Aires.”

Clearly Nadal would have traveled had he felt there was even a chance of playing and it now seems doubtful he will be sufficiently prepared to contest the new Rio Open event in Rio de Janeiro, which begins on February 17.

For the time being his thoughts were solely on Buenos Aires and he added: “”I’m very sorry for all the fans, the tournament organizers who invited me and for myself because I was really looking forward to returning to the city.

“Argentina is a country I really love and last year I had a really nice experience in Buenos Aires a few months ago playing with Novak. I hope to return to the country soon and once again I’m sorry.”

Topics: 10sballs, Australian Open, Buenos Aires, Copa Claro, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News