Nadal out of Basel as race for year-end No. 1 heats up

The world No. 1 is still scheduled to play Paris.

Published Oct 17, 2017

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal lost the Shanghai final 6-4, 6-3 to Roger Federer, but his biggest concern in the next few weeks might be his right knee.

The Spaniard kept the focus on crediting Federer after losing his fifth consecutive match to the Swiss, but did admit that he would have to take time to think about playing Basel or Paris.

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Nadal says it wasn't his best match, that Roger played too good. Refused to talk about the knee : "after a final, it's not the moment".
— Carole Bouchard 💜💛 (@carole_bouchard) October 15, 2017

Nadal unsure about playing Basel & doesn't want to say a word about the knee. "I don't wanna be called a bad loser. He played well and fast"
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 15, 2017

Rafael Nadal on his knee: "I don’t want to talk about that now, sorry. After losing final is not the moment. I am not worried, though."
— Rafael Nadal Fans (@RafaelNadalFC) October 15, 2017

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On Tuesday, Nadal officially announced that he will not play Basel.

I sadly announce that I have to pull out of the Swiss Indoors Basel, after... https://t.co/hXuflDRZLJ
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 17, 2017

Nadal’s health status will impact the year-end race for No. 1 with Federer trailing by 1,960 points. There are 3,000 possible points available for winning Basel, Paris and the ATP finals in London.

While Federer is best on fast surfaces and more rested with 48 total matches played in 2017, Nadal has logged 75 total matches with his more grueling baseline tactics.

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A post shared by Rafa Nadal (@rafaelnadal)

Nadal and Federer were slated to play all three events, with Basel beginning next week. Nadal's five-match losing streak to Federer began in the 2015 Basel final.

Federer would arrive Paris 1460 points away from Nadal with a title in Basel.

With 2500 on the line in Paris & London.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 17, 2017

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There is still plenty at stake as the tour edges closer to the season's end.

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