Rafael Nadal is helping Roger Federer's climb back toward the No. 1 world ranking in men's tennis.
Or rather, Nadal's injury-riddled body is helping Federer.
Tennisworldusa.com, based on reporting from a Spanish television station, is stating that Nadal could be out of the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals to have appendectomy surgery.
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash says Roger Federer could return to No. 1
Citing the Spanish broadcaster IB3, tennisworldusa.com reported that Nadal intends to play the next two ATP events, the Swiss Indoor Nationals in Basel, Switzerland and the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris, before opting for the season-ending surgery.
"According to the TV program, Nadal will play in Basel and Paris Bercy, before flying back to Spain to undergo surgery for its appendicitis and end his 2014 slightly in advance," tennisworldusa.com reported. "Nadal's plan would be to have the time off necessary to recover from the surgery and be fully ready to start the 2015 season with the tournament of Doha."
Rafael Nadal's injuries could prevent his assault on the title of greatest tennis player ever
Skipping the final event would be nothing new for Nadal. Tennisworldusa.com reported that Nadal's absence in the impending finals would mark the fourth time he has missed the season-ender due to injury.
Nadal missed the U.S. Open with a wrist injury and suffered a back injury during the Australian Open in January. He has missed time because of knee injuries as well.
His relentless style of play, that helped him earn the No. 1 ranking, also has taken a toll on his body.
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash recently claimed that he thought Nadal would not be able to get through another season completely healthy.
"Rafael Nadal, I don't think will play a full season for the rest of his life. It's just very, very tough. For certain players, it's more emotional, it's more physical," Cash told Sport360 on the sidelines of the 2015 Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
Nadal is only 28 years old, but questions about his physical condition only will increase as he gets older. As Federer continues to enjoy a tennis rebirth after his own physical ailments in 2013, it is now Nadal who faces an uncertain future.
Federer just passed Nadal for the No. 2 spot in the world rankings behind Novak Djokovic. Federer and Nadal are considered the two greatest tennis players of all time, but Nadal's argument could be fading in the wake of his injuries.
Now another previously unthinkable situation could arise in the Federer- Nadal rivalry. Could injuries force Nadal to retire before Federer?
Do you think Rafael Nadal can get through a season without missing multiple tournaments due to injury? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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