Nadal undergoes 35-minute ankle surgery "to prevent future problems"

Rafael Nadal withdraws from the Paris Masters:

Rafael Nadal's ankle surgery should help him start next season in shape, according to his doctor.

The 32-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a floating object in his ankle, and also announced his withdrawal from next week's ATP Tour Finals.

"It was about 35 minutes on the right ankle," Dr. Angel Ruiz-Cotorro told Spanish radio. "He had...a small piece impede the joint. We decided to solve this problem now so we can start next season in the best conditions."

The demands of the circuit were described as being behind top player injuries.

"You have to understand the amount of matches he plays each year... he has chronic injuries," said Ruiz-Cotorro.

Nadal has had frequent injury problems this season, including his upper leg, knee and abdominal muscle, which forced him to withdraw from the Paris Masters.

Nadal noted it was also the abdominal injury that prompted his withdrawal from London, and that the ankle issue was not new.

In a statement on social media, he said, "We detected it a while ago and it's bothered me from time to time. But as the problem with the abdominals also prevents me from playing in London, we decided to take advantage and intervene in the ankle to prevent future problems."

Nadal has dropped to No. 2 in the rankings.

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