Rafa Out Of Masters Cup

Poor Rafa.

Well the first player I am going to preview for Shanghai happens to be someone who just pulled out...

The King of Clay(and grass and the rankings) has withdrawn from the Masters Cup because of fatigue and just being too beat up after a long season.  What I hope is that it's not something seriously wrong with his knee(which he had to withdraw last week from) and he is trying to downplay it.  

It's a shame...and the tournament won't even be close to the same without him.  

Hopefully Rafa gets healthy for next season...but it does bring up two important questions. 

Rafa is one of the most vocal guys out there that say the season is too long in tennis, which promotes too much bodily abuse.  A few years (I think two) ago, something like 4 out of the original 8 to qualify for the Masters Cup had to withdraw because of injury.  Tennis is so physically demanding on the body, maybe a few more withdraws like this, and there might be a schedule change.

The second issue brought up is about Nadal's style of play.  What makes him so intriguing and so good is his never say die attitude.  His relentless running on the court in marathon matches.  This is also his weakness.  For a young guy, Rafa has had a lot of injury troubles.  A possible career ending foot injury was his most serious, followed by him having to now wrap his knees in every single match he plays.  A lot of basketball players wear ankle wraps for every game, or sleeves to warm up there arms, but Rafa wraps his knees (heavily) every SINGLE time he steps on court.  For such a young guy, that is alarming.  I don't know if it's his training or style, but he should try and find some way to keep up his marathon fitness, with being a little bit easier on his body.

The Bright Side:

So what's the bright side of all of this?  Well, Gilles Simon gets his first appearance at Shanghai, and he certainly deserves it.  Good Luck Gilles and Get well soon Rafa.

See you tomorrow when I preview Roger Federer.