Nadal confirms London absence
October 26, 2012 08:47:44 UK
Rafael Nadal has confirmed that he will not compete at the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London due to his ongoing battle to overcome knee problems.
The 26-year-old clay-court king has not played since losing in the second round at Wimbledon in June and now seems likely to be back on court in December in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.
I will continue my recovery in Mallorca and work hard to be back as soon as possible.
Rafael Nadal
A disappointed Nadal confirmed: "It's disappointing for me to miss the last two tournaments of the season in Paris and London, but it doesn't come as a surprise.
"I will hopefully resume my practice soon, since I am making good progress with my recovery from injury.
"I am not ready to compete in time for these events, so I will continue my recovery in Mallorca and work hard to be back as soon as possible."
In Nadal's absence, Novak Djokovic is 2.20 to win the World Tour Finals, with Andy Murray 3.50.
Meanwhile, at the WTA Tour Championships in Turkey, Serena Williams continued her superb recent run of form as she beat Victoria Azarenka in straight sets to reach the semi-finals.
Azarenka now faces Li Na in a crunch showdown, with a win meaning that she will move through to the last four and also ensure that she is world-ranked number one at the end of the year.
The Belarusian is 1.20 to beat the Chinese, with Li 4.50 to knock Azarenka out of the tournament with a victory of her own.
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