Wrist injury forces Rafa Nadal out of Shanghai for second year running

The left wrist injury that reduced Rafael Nadal’s participation at the Laver Cup will keep the Spaniard off the courts for a big longer.

On Friday, the Shanghai Rolex Masters announced Nadal has withdrawn from next week’s event. In a statement sent to the tournament director, Nadal said, “I had an inflammation on my left wrist during the Laver Cup and I haven’t had the time to recover and practice to be ready for this amazing event. I hope to be back in Shanghai for the 2020 tournament.”

Nadal did not suit up for Team Europe on the final day of the Laver Cup after being evaluated by doctors. (Getty Images)

It marks the second consecutive year Nadal has been forced out of the ATP Masters 1000 event, after missing the 2018 edition due to a knee injury. Nadal, who won a record-extending 35th Masters 1000 crown with his Montreal triumph in August, misses an opportunity to add an elusive title to his trophy case after finishing as the Shanghai runner-up in 2009 and 2017.

The 33-year-old considerably expanded his lead over Novak Djokovic in the battle for year-end No. 1 by winning his 19th major title at Flushing Meadows over Daniil Medvedev. That effort widened the gap to 1.960 points, but Djokovic is in prime position to chip away at it. The current world No. 1 is through to the semifinals of the ATP 500 event in Tokyo and has tasted victory four times in Shanghai, including last year.

Nadal will marry long-time girlfriend Xisca Perello later this month.