Rafael Nadal a doubt for ATP Finals in London with abdominal rectum injury

RAFAEL NADAL is a doubt for the ATP Finals in London next week due to an abdominal strain.

The Spanaird, 33, has returned to his homeland of Majorca for treatment on the right abdominal rectum after pulling out of the Paris Masters.

But he has promised fans he will travel to London later this week and do all he can to compete in the finals.

Nadal wrote on Twitter today: “Hello everyone. Yesterday I had a resonance in Mallorca and despite having a small strain in the right abdominal rectum, I will travel to London.

“Thursday or Friday I will start adapting to the service.

“The idea is to be able to play the #atpfinals in London. Thanks for the support!”

Nadal has never won the season-ending tournament despite qualifying for the last 14 years.

He did not play due to injury in 2005, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018 – he withdrew during the week-long even in 2017.

Nadal reached the final in 2010 and 2013 but lost to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic respectively.

The Spanish star has enjoyed a stunning 2019 so far, winning the French Open and US Open as well as the Masters 1000 titles in Rome and Montreal – he also married long-term girlfriend Xisca Perello in October.

He reached the semi-finals of the Paris Masters last week but pulled out of the tournament before his final-four clash with Denis Shapovalov, who went on to lose to Djokovic in the final.

But Rafa’s performance in the city where he has won 12 Grand Slams was enough to take him back to the top of the world rankings yesterday, leapfrogging Djokovic.

And fans will be desperate to see the pair battle it out to end the year as the No1 at the O2 Arena next week.