Rafael Nadal forced to withdraw from Laver Cup after defeat by Dominic Thiem

Rafael Nadal forced to withdraw from Laver Cup after defeat by Dominic Thiem

Rafael Nadal withdraws from Laver Cup due to ‘personal reasons’ after first round

Rafael Nadal was forced to withdraw from the Laver Cup because of “personal reasons”, his team said on Wednesday after his first-round defeat by world number 13 Dominic Thiem.

Nadal had only made the draw for the world championships after Thiem was knocked out of the competition in his opening match by qualifier Alexander Zverev.

Laver’s director Craig Miller said it would not change much in the way of plans for the French Open in August, where Nadal would be seeded for a second consecutive time.

“Obviously he had a bit of a difficult draw and he had a bit of injury and he was not 100 per cent fit,” said Miller. “I just have to say I’m sorry for him and I’m sorry for the team that he had to play.”

Nadal will now attempt to make his singles debut at the French Open after his first-round exit at Roland Garros.

The 32-year-old Nadal was scheduled to play on Monday and Tuesday in the second round but lost to Zverev 5-7, 7-6, 6-4.

Leave a Comment