Rafael Nadal, who was diagnosed with appendicitis at Shanghai, is to undergo surgery sometime in the next few weeks.
Spanish broadcaster IB3 reported that Nadal will have the procedure before the Tour Finals, though the Spaniard had previously said he wanted to make his scheduled appearances in Basel, the Paris Masters and the World Tour Finals before the operation. His management has denied that a decision has been reached.
"Nadal will play Basel this upcoming week and depending on how he feels and the advice from his doctors will decide AFTER the tournament on his schedule," said a statement from Nadal's public relations manager.
Nadal has also signed up to begin his season at the Abu Dhabi exhibition, which starts on New Year's Day. The operation is expected to sideline him for about a month.
He is taking antibiotics to control the inflammation, but medical opinion suggests that surgery is likely to be required. Nadal chose to play Shanghai, dropping his opening match at the tournament to compatriot Feliciano Lopez.
Nadal has had an injury-plagued season, experiencing a back problem at the Australian Open, as well as a wrist injury that kept him from playing the U.S. Open. He has dropped to No. 3 in the rankings.