Why Nadal may not play in Shanghai to boost Djokovic chances for world no.1. PUNDIT

Nadal is not expected to play in Shanghai

Will Nadal play in Shanghai

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are battling to end 2019 at the top of the rankings. The Spanish sensation is currently leading the world no.1 in the year to date rankings by almost 2000 points. However, both are struggling with injuries and their battered bodies after a tough season.

Nadal’s injury and wedding with Xisca Perello

Rafa is used not to play much after the US Open to preserve his body and his troubled knee. However, this year, he doesn’t seem to struggle too much with his knee, but he is having some problems with an inflammation to his left hand. This issue prevented him from playing on the last day of the Laver Cup. According to reports, the Spaniard didn’t really schedule to play in China, but given his position in the year to date rankings, he may change ideas.

Another important factor is that Rafa will get married on the 19th of October and he may want to stay in Mallorca to help wit the preparation of the wedding.

Djokovic’s shoulder injury

The Serbian sensation has been struggling with a shoulder injury that prevented him from competing in the US Open. Novak had to pull the plug in the 4th round when he retired against Stan Wawrinka.

Why Nadal should skip Shanghai

According to British tennis star, Barry Cowan Nadal should not play in Shanghai. Cowan commented:

“The feeling is at the moment it is just going to be Paris, London and Davis Cup. It’s better to go to Paris or London as close to 100 percent fit. He was forced to pull out of the last day of the Laver Cup.”

Rafael Nadal’s ranking and performance in 2019

Rafael Nadal Stats info

Ranked no.2, Nadal 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 has won 4 titles in 2019 in Rome, at the French Open, in Montreal, and at the U.S. Open. Nadal was the finalist at the Australian Open.

Djokovic in Tokyo, ranking, and results in 2019

Novak Djokovic Stats info

At the moment ranked no.1, the Serbian has a 43-8 win-loss record in 2019. The Serbian is playing at the moment in Tokyo where he ousted Alexei Popyrin 6-4 6-2 and Go Soeda 6-3 7-5.

Novak will face Pouille in the quarter. The head to head is 2-0 for Djokovic.

The last time that they fought against each other, Djokovic won 7-62 6-1 in the quarter in Cincinnati in 16th August 2019.

The Serbian conquered 3 titles in 2019 at the Australian Open, in Madrid and in Wimbledon. The Serbian was the finalist in Rome.

Novak won 75 titles in his career: 43 on hard courts, 14 on clay courts, 12 on indoor courts and 6 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic played each other 54 times. The head to head is 28-26 for Djokovic.

The last time that they squared off, Rafael Nadal won 6-0 4-6 6-1 in the final in Rome in 19th May 2019.

Rafael Nadal

Embed from Getty Images