RAFA NADAL CALLS AN END TO 2016 TENNIS SEASON, RACE FOR NO. 8 SPOT AT WORLD TOUR FINALS SUDDENLY HEATS UP

Written by: Staff on 20th October 2016

RAFA NADAL CALLS AN END TO 2016 TENNIS SEASON, RACE FOR NO. 8 SPOT AT WORLD TOUR FINALS SUDDENLY HEATS UP

epa05574953 Rafael Nadal of Spain leaves the court after losing to Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in their men's quarter final match of the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China, 07 October 2016. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA |

By Ricky Dimon

Confirming rumors that had been swirling since he lost to Viktor Troicki in the second round of the Shanghai Rolex Masters, Rafael Nadal announced on Thursday that his season is over. Nadal cited the wrist injury that sidelined him from round three of the French Open until the Rio Olympics as the primary reason for his decision.

The 14-time Grand Slam champion wraps up 2016 with a modest 39-14 record that includes clay-court titles in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona. Perhaps most notably, Nadal initially returned from his wrist problem at the Olympics and finished fourth place in singles while capturing doubles gold with fellow Spaniard Marc Lopez.

He will likely spend much of the offseason at The Rafa Nadal Academy in hims hometown of Mallorca. Nadal, with special guest Roger Federer in attendance, officially opened his new academy on Wednesday.

One day later, his mood was more somber.

“I am forced to stop and start preparing the 2017 season,” Nadal posted on Facebook. “Now it is time to rest and start preparing intensively the 2017 season. I am very saddened for not being able to play next week in Basel since I have a great memory of the tournament and the final played against Roger Federer last year. I won’t be able to compete either in Paris-Bercy, where the crowds and the FFT staff have always treated me so well.”

Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Adrian Mannarino of France during their men’s second round match of the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China, 06 October 2016. EPA/WU HONG

The list should also include the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, although Nadal may have left that out on purpose because he had not yet officially qualified.

With the world No. 6 out, Tomas Berdych moves into the all-important eighth spot. His lead over No. 9 David Goffin, however, would dwindle to as few as 30 points if Goffin captures the title this week in Antwerp. Nadal’s exit also gives No. 6 Gael Monfils and No. 7 Dominic Thiem some much-needed breathing room in their respective bids to make their debuts at the O2 Arena.

Top 8 not including Nadal, as of Thursday night

1. Novak Djokovic – 10,600 points.

2. Andy Murray – 9.685 points.

3. Stan Wawrinka – 5,060 points.

4. Milos Raonic – 4,690 points.

5. Kei Nishikori – 4,360 points.

6. Gael Monfils – 3,625 points. This week: lost in Stockholm second round.

7. Dominic Thiem – 3,205 points.

8. Tomas Berdych – 2,880 points.

Next 3 contenders

9. David Goffin – 2,645 points. This week: Antwerp quarterfinals.

10. Marin Cilic – 2,590 points.