LONDON — Rafael Nadal will have to wait another year to win the ATP Finals.
The top-ranked Nadal withdrew from the elite, season-ending tournament after losing his opening match to David Goffin, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-4, on Monday at the O2 Arena.
Nadal pulled out of the Paris Masters at the quarterfinal stage 10 days ago and admitted ahead of the ATP Finals, which is played on indoor hardcourts, that his knees were still “not perfect.”
Despite having qualified 13 consecutive times for the ATP Finals, only eight of which he has been fit enough to compete in, Nadal has never won the event.