Team World and Team Europe are set to battle it out for the Laver Cup in Geneva, Switzerland. The tournament takes place this weekend and will feature the best players from Europe such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal going against top players from other continents such as Nick Kyrgios. While Team Europe has won the event for the last two years, they could find it difficult this time as one of their best players is injured.
Left Wrist Injury for Nadal
As the cup gets underway, Nadal may be a doubt to play. The 33-year-old appears to have injured his wrist and could sit out the event. The Spaniard was spotted with a strapping over his left wrist on Friday at the tournament. While he practiced with Team Europe during the week, he did not play on Friday when the cup began. He was seen on the sidelines during a match between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Taylor Fritz with his wrist strapped. It is not clear if he will play on Saturday even if he is scheduled to play nack to nack in singles and doubles. The Spanish said he would stay on at the tournament and help his team in any way he can. “It is great to be here again and it’s given me some energy again with the colleagues and great team around. And I’ll just try to help the team.” The current world number two won the US Open this month, defeating Daniil Medvedev. Nadal, however, had committed to playing at the Laver Cup and decided to participate.
If I am not 100% there is another player
The Spaniard was set to face Canadian Milos Raonic in a singles match. He has stated that he will try his best to overcome the injury and play. “Some issues can happen but here I am. I’m trying hard to be ready for when the team needs me. If I am not at 100 percent, there is another player.” Nadal could be replaced by Roberto Bautista if he cannot play the match. After winning the US Open, the current world number two could move up in the rankings and overtake Novak Djokovic at the top. The 33-year-old is currently 640 points behind the Serbian who is also injured. Team Europe has won the last two editions of the Laver Cup and despite Nadal’s potential absence, they are favorites to win this year’s cup. The tournament will end on Sunday and the first team to earn 13 points wins.
Rafael Nadal’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.2, the Spaniard played his last match on the 8th of September when he defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 in the final in U.S. Open to win his 84th career title.
This year the Spaniard has a 47-6 win-loss record. Nadal clinched 4 titles in 2019 in Rome, at the French Open, in Montreal and at the U.S. Open. The Spaniard was the finalist at the Australian Open.
Rafael Nadal |
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