Basel blow as Nadal withdraws with injury

Basel, Oct. 21, (GNA/dpa) - Next week's ATP Swiss Indoors suffered another box office blow as Rafael Nadal decided to end his season early, depriving the indoor showpiece of another drawcard in the absence of Roger Federer.

Nadal said late Thursday he will concentrate on regaining full fitness on his troublesome left wrist with a view to being back to 100 per cent for the start of 2017 in Australia.

The plan mimics the strategy of Federer, who shut down his own season after Wimbledon to fully recover from a knee problem which had required February surgery.

Nadal's camp said his decision to come back after a two-month injury absence in time for the Rio Olympic Games resulted in a doubles gold medal but also cause bone bruising to the wrist.

"For this reason he's taken the decision to put an end to this season ... to do the specific treatments for a full recovery," read a statement. "The goal now is to completely recover and be able to be pain free on the [wrist] area and start preparing the 2017 season.

Nadal, who dedicated his new tennis academy this week in the presence of Federer, added: "It is no secret that I arrived to the Olympic Games short of preparation and not fully recovered, but the goal was to compete and win a medal for Spain.

"This forced recovery has caused me pain since then and now I am forced to stop and start preparing 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 staff have always treated me so well. Now it is time to rest and start preparing intensively the 2017 season."

Switzerland's three-time grand slam winner Stan Wawrinka leads the field, along with Canadian Milos Raonic and Japan's Kei Nishikori.

GNA