Tennis news - Rafael Nadal withdraws from Paris Masters, Novak Djokovic to be world number one

ByDan Quarrell

Updated 31/10/2018 at 18:58 GMT

Rafael Nadal has been forced to withdraw from the Paris Masters with Novak Djokovic to be crowned the new world number one on Monday as a result.

The Spaniard is now not sure he will be able to compete at the ATP Finals in London after having to pull out of the Masters event.

Nadal picked up an abdominal injury earlier in the tournament and has been unable to shake it off.

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As a result of Nadal's withdrawal, Djokovic will be confirmed as the new world number one on Monday.

While Nadal believed he could have played against compatriot Fernando Verdasco, he did not think he was in competitive enough shape to complete the tournament.

It is huge news for Djokovic, who as recently as the Australian Open earlier in the year was not sure if he would ever truly recover from his persistent elbow injury.

Raonic, meanwhile, was unable to recover from a right elbow injury he sustained in Paris.

As a result of the Canadian's withdrawal, Roger Federer has been handed a walkover into the third round.

Canada's Milos Raonic

Image credit: Getty Images

The Swiss will now take on either Italy's Fabio Fognini or Marton Fucsovics of Hungary on Thursday.

Remarkably, Federer has not had to play a single match in reaching the third round of the tournament.

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