Scheduled to be the top two seeds at next week’s ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, Stan Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal have withdrawn in the aftermath of grueling Australian Open campaigns.
Wawrinka, who appeared to deal with a knee issue Down Under, reached the semifinals before falling to fellow Swiss Roger Federer in a five-set semifinal. Federer ended up capturing his fifth Aussie Open title and 18th Grand Slam by winning another five-setter over Nadal in the final.
“Do you want to attend the Australian Open next year or maybe attend another Grand Slam tournament in 2017? You can buy tickets here.”
Wawrinka survived a five-set battle with Martin Klizan in the first round in Melbourne, beat Viktor Troicki in a tough four-setter during third-round action, and took out Andreas Seppi in three straight tiebreakers to reach the quarterfinals. The current world No. 3 ended up falling to Federer 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3.
“Stan called me…to share the bad news,” Rotterdam tournament director Richard Krajicek commented. “Test results showed that he is not able to play matches as a result of his knee. The medical advice came as a complete and unpleasant surprise. Not just for us, but for him as well.”
Nadal’s Australian Open campaign featured two five-setters–which came in succession on championship weekend. The 14-time major champion outlasted Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-4 before going down to Federer 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 after leading 3-1 in the fifth set.
“I am very sorry to announce I won’t be able to play in Rotterdam next week,” Nadal posted on his social media channels. “After last year’s absence from some tournaments, I started this season well and made a significant effort during the Australian swing. It’s because of this that my doctors have strongly advised me to take it easy and give enough rest to my body before competing again to avoid further injuries. I fully understand that the Dutch fans will be disappointed. I am very thankful to Richard for the great support and understanding.”
Krajicek said that he tried to get Federer and other top-five players to replace Nadal and Wawrinka, but to no avail.
I feel bad for the fans in Rotterdam. This is the second year in a row that the top players withdrew from that tournament. I guess that’s what happens when it’s this soon after the Australian Open, and those top players are in their 30’s… It’s too bad because I always enjoyed watching Rotterdam. In my opinion, it’s one of the coolest indoor tournaments on the men’s tour. I especially enjoy the “crack” and “pop” that shots make in that arena.
Agree Kevin, doing so well can be a curse, as well as a blessing, as it leave you knackered for the tournaments after the GS ….
Hey Alison…i feel so bad for J.S because she’s already booked a ticket or already there atm to see Rafa!…
Thats a shame MA ….
Alison…i think Rafa already heard a rumour that she’s going to wear a t-shirt that says “Rafa,will you marry me!”…and he got scared and decided to pulled out from the tourney in an instant!..he he he..
Mira Andi (AT 12:10 PM),
Rafa hasn’t been frightened by marriage proposals, he has laughed:
https://youtu.be/_cLnrUDohHs
augusta008…thanks for the link!…God knows Rafa got many of those!
MA Could be LOL đŸ˜‰
Alison…Serves her right for making it sooooo obvious!Ha ha…Did u remember what she said regarding rafa’s match much better than @#$ at AO…And u replied…LOL J.S..u must be doing it wrong?Ha ha ha…God!she’s so funny!I can’t stop laughing when thinking about it!!
Thats true MA, and Squirrel enjoyed it too, and DC said JS how so ? ….
Alison…it’s a shame she didn’t reply her answer after that…I would luuuurrvvvee to hear her answer!!Ha ha ha…
Augusta 08 i remember that well, maybe that actually was J.S, i also remember Steffi getting one, and she said how much money do you make ? priceless ….
Btw Alison..there’s a new poster named Roger is CLASS on TX who belittled and disrespect Rafa like there is no tomorrow…I don’t understand those people…in their excitement to celebrate Roger won AO and GOAT,must they talking trash about other greats?Can’t they appreciate what we have/had?We can list so many greats and legends out there and it’s not only Roger who sit on that list…Urgh!!can’t stand to read their bragging comments!!
I Saw it MA, im not interested in posting on there ATM, TBH it says more about them as people rather than Nadal himself, Roger does have class, however that poster certainly does not ….
Agree Alison!!!!!…and i’m also like u…got soured with each passing day with TX…can u imagine Alison?There’s no rafa fans there anymore except Giles or maybe J.S after this..
Alison..speaking of J.S…go to TX to see what she has wrote…Oh!poor J.S!!ha ha ha..