World number two Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from November’s inaugural International Premier Tennis League to focus on preparing for the 2015 season.The team event begins on 28 November and involves current and former players including Andy Murray, Serena Williams, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.
Nadal, 28, has been out of action since Wimbledon with a wrist injury and plans to return in Beijing next week.
The Spaniard will use the off-season to recover from an interrupted 2014.
He struggled with a back injury at the start of the year and, after winning his 14th Grand Slam title at the French Open in June, lost to Nick Kyrgios in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.[eap_ad_2]
He has since been out with an injury to his right wrist, but aims to play a complete schedule for the rest of the year that will include Beijing, Shanghai, Basel, Paris and the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
The International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) will be played across 16 days in four cities – Manila, Singapore, Delhi and Dubai – with the final played on 13 December.
“We regret to announce that due to health reasons, Rafael Nadal will not be playing in the IPTL,” the tournament IPTL on Twitter: “We regret to announce that due to health reasons, #RafaelNadal will not be playing in the #IPTL. We’re rooting for you, #GetWellSoonRafa!” (BBC Sport)[eap_ad_3]
