Tennis Channel announced yesterday that Rafa will most likely go back to competitive tennis in February in Acapulco. There is still hope he will play AO but I'd rather see him healed and start with a smaller tournament, than see him play at least three setters every other day for two weeks on a hard court.

expected

He's too busy playing poker. That's not a judgement, dismissal, nor smart remark. It's an opinion, I know what habits like that do to people...and what it can do to people...even if you are Rafael Nadal.

at this point in his career he's more interested in playing video games with Pico Monaco

Ricky, you leave Rafa alone, now.

Video games and poker playing are very addictive. I usally begin wanting to play dominoes every day when we have company for a week or more. There's not much energy expended in these games, and I can see how an athlete could easily begin to have a preference for such. After all, who wants to toil away in tough playing conditions as heat, and other bad weather, and also leave the comforts of home, when they could find gratification in doing something less strenuous?

I only believe what I hear from Rafa himself. There is so much conflicting speculation going around because everyone wants Rafa back on tour; friends and foe alike. I think Rafa will start with the exho in AD and take it from there.

We can speculate all we want but no one here has any insider info about Rafa, so speculations are just speculations. Rafa himself has a say about when and where he's going ro come back. Anyway playing video games is nothing new to Rafa; he has been playing it since day one when he's in the tours. His playing partners are mainly his Spanish fellow players, like Moya for eg. He also plays against Murray, Monaco etc, but that doesn't stop him from playing tennis and winning slams. He also had a long injury break from Oct 2005 to Feb 2006 but still came back to win many more major titles, and back then he was already well versed with video/computer games!

I hope the recovery is going along just fine. I am not unhappy about canceling out the rest of 2012 for Rafa IMO . I just hope the knee is responding to treatment.

Vamos Rafa!

Tournament organizers are making plans for next year. The Kremlin Cup organizers want Rafa (and Djokovic) to play in Moscow in 2013.
## MOSCOW, October 25.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal could headline next year's Kremlin Cup in Moscow, the Russian Tennis Federation president told R-Sport Thursday.
Former world No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who is close to the Kremlin Cup organizers, said Wednesday that the two had been offered seven-figure sums to play the 2013 competition.
"We're interested in Djokovic and Nadal coming, that possibility could happen, in principle," Tarpishchev said, adding that it could be confirmed as early as mid-January. ##
http://en.ria.ru/sports/20121025/176916741.html

Rafa has never given a definitive answer as to the length of time he needs for recovery and all his comments have been prefaced by 'I hope', 'it depends' etc. etc.
Out of consideration for the ATP, ITF and tournament promoters (possblty at their request) he is clearly keeping announcements for upcoming tournament as vague as possible for as long as possible before having to confirm he will not be playing.

This is Rafa's latest statement as of yesterday on the ATP website and his FB:

Nadal Withdraws From Paris And Barclays ATP World Tour Finals
Paris, France

by ATP Staff
|

25.10.2012
Rafael Nadal continues to recover from a left knee injury.

Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal from the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris as well as the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London on Thursday due to a left knee injury.

Nadal said, "It?s disappointing for me to miss the last two tournaments of the season in Paris and London, but it doesn't come as a surprise. I will hopefully resume my tennis practice soon since I am making good progress with my recovery from injury. I am not ready to compete in time for these events so I will continue my recovery in Mallorca and work hard to be back as soon as possible."

Brad Drewett, ATP Executive Chairman & President, said: "We wish Rafa all the best as he continues his rehabilitation from injury. Rafa is an incredible champion and it goes without saying that he has been missed on the ATP World Tour over the past few months. We look forward to welcoming him back on the tour very soon."

Uncle Toni Nadal has talked about Rafa's plans for the nearest future.

## Toni about Davis Cup: ?The final has not discounted, but I don?t think that the Spanish Captain will call Rafa, who hasn?t played for 120 days. Spain luckily has other excellent players like Ferrer, Almagro, Verdasco and Feliciano.?
Toni: ?If he doesn?t come back for the Davis, the idea is to organize some matches in December to come back in Abu Dabi. Rafa need to play high level matches before definitively coming back in the circuit.? ##

http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Toni-Nadal-Its-hard-for-Rafa-to-co me-back-at-the-level-he-was-but-he-likes-challenges-articolo6578.html


Even if the Spanish Captain calls Rafa, he shouldn't agree to play in the Davis Cup final. It would be too soon to start competing. He should be careful after his long break.

I think that some of this is about tact, diplomacy commitments, perceptions and such things that have their place and importance.

Does anyone seriously think that under the present circumstances the Davis Cup captain would seriously call Nadal to participate? Or that Nadal would not politely refuse? He has not even started to practice in earnest. Also, no one can seriously expect Nadal to be close to his former heights of ability during the first weeks back on the ATP circuit, or longer. We expect it will be a climb back to those levels. And that is alright, it is the nature of coming back from an extensive break due to injury. What WILL be interesting to see is how Nadal plays when he is back close to the heights he used to be at. Then the four mousketiers will be again all contending together (hopefully, no one else ought to be having to take that long a break)... instead of only the current three. Tennis has gotten so interesting with Roger's revival, Novak's level of play (not version 2.0 but far, far better than version 1.0), and... especially Murray's mental consistency and game improvement. When Nadal is back, really back, it will be a great mix.

Today on twitter:


Rafa Nadal

Espero poder estar en Abu Dhabi! Me encantaría terminar este 2012 regresando a la pista! Quiero volver a disfrutar del Tenis :)

I hope to play in Abu Dhabi! I want to finish this year returning to the court! I want to enjoy tennis :)

we all know what Nadal WANTS

i'm only interested in what his body will allow him to do....

Rafa won't play in Paris, but he will be in Paris this weekend.
His PR Manager Benito Perez Barbadillo announced today: "Rafa Nadal will come back to Paris this week end. Will be live at M6 news at 8PM on Sunday October 28th."

Vamos Rafa!

Paris draw is out...

http://tinyurl.com/9vutypo

Tough potential draw for Fed: Bahgatis or Simon, Nishikori, Berdych, Murray, Nole

Tough for Nole too! Nole gets Verdasco, Raonic, Delpo, Tsonga, Fed or Muzz.

Muzz's qtr is relatively soft.

#Humble

Murray's draw Bye, Mathieu, Cilic, Tipsy, Fed, Nole.

#Semis

pic.twitter.com/f5Y6lGSK

#FabFour

This will be Nole's first encounter with Raonic. He is the only one who hasn't played him yet of the top 4.

There is something missing in Paris. And this something is Rafa.

##Without Rafael Nadal tennis is getting worse.
25 Oct 2012, by FC
(Excerpts)
The circuit goes on, our life as sportsmen and followers, goes on. /---/ Yet following tournaments, the fight for the top, and the conquest of the most strived and prestigious tournaments, there is anyway a sense of vacuum./---/ there is something missing.
And this something is Rafa Nadal. It must be said that this circus, all special, has digested injures that left out of game great protagonists. But never like this time there has been a long debate, dense, almost exhausting, about when the Majorkan would have come back. Today we know that his next stop will be Acapulco, next February, but in the while someone has also wondered the reason of all this fuss: fine, it's Nadal, but isn't tennis able to give other emotions? The are good players, strong, powerful and constant, when it's a matter to win. There is no lack of fun, tennis is beautiful anyway.
So why is Nadal's absence hurts, and is hurting so bad to tennis? /---/
First of all, even if he had never be seen, numbers talk for him "between the many there would be also the fact that Nadal is an 11 times branded Slam, and on the clay he's meant to be the best of all times".
It's seeing him playing, above all, that maybe the nostalgy makes itself stronger: "He has a unque attitude, he has an anger that is not sticker's acting, and a spirit, a character never seen before. And who, better than a Federian can understand it?" So many, many qualities, made it great. /---/
Then it exists the factor rivalry, that today is missing: "it's not just the level of play that counts, how much you push, or the speed of your service, how deep you hit the ball. It's necessary also different styles: media built their public on the concept of rivalry, on two players that face because are technically and mentally different. The public wants rivalry, and today this is missing on the tennis top."
And this seems much more important if "the public is modifying his consumption, going in the direction of big tournaments, in the final rounds, expecting less boring matches, with the top players on court".
So, strong considerations, probably risky, others maybe extreme. But they all have a little of common truth: tennis still need Nadal. ##

http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Does-the-abscence-of-Nadak-hurt-to -tennis-articolo6677.html

Too much speculations... Rafa knows best...
Get well and comeback in your own way.
Always for Nole, but it's not same without Rafa!

"Always for Nole, but it's not same without Rafa!"

I second that, Zare ;)

I am now an official member of the Delpo fan club:

http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/item/198425-juan-martin-de l-potro-seals-london-spot-feels-sorry-for-rafael-nadal

"I'm sad for Rafa, he's really trying in his comeback. But it's not easy after such a long time away. I had the same feeling with my wrist," said del Potro, who made the Swiss Indoors quarter-finals Thursday with a 7-5, 6-1 defeat of American Brian Baker.

"We miss Rafa a lot on the Tour. He is one of the best players in history, he will come back strong.

"I'm sure it will be very soon. He will be ready to win a big event again, I know that he can play better than me when he makes his comeback, I wish all the best to him."

Get well soon Rafa, you are sorely missed...............

Vamos!!

That's some accolade from del Potro!

It was lovely reading those words from Delpo. Heartfelt and beautifully said!

Thanks Delpo! :)

Rafa is in France and has spent time with his watchmaker Richard Mille in Brittany. It's good to see him smiling and enjoying his life no matter what happens.

Smile and get well soon Rafa! Vamos!

http://www.facebook.com/richardmille.watches?ref=stream

I saw that on FB; so that's Richard Mille Rafa is posing with saying he is enjoying the weekend with his friend. Rafa is also friends with Sheik Al Khelaifi of Qatar, the president of PSG who invited him to take the kick-off in their match last week.

Rafa has many friends in high places.

There is a rule is there not that players who have withdrawn from a tournament must make themselves available for publicity/promotional appearances? Presumably this is why Rafa is in France.

Speaking of Delpo, I am glad that his wrist has healed so well that he was capable of winning the tournament in Basel today. :)
Viva Delpo!

ed - no, there is no such rule

Rafa was interviewed by TV-channel M6 in Paris on Sunday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=g8fR xNqfhn8I

I don't understand what they are talking about, I can only say that Rafa is looking damn good. :)

@RickyDimon, 10/29/12 12:12 AM

ed251137 is correct! ATP website explains:
## Question: What if a player is injured and can't play in a Grand Slam or ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament?
Answer: /---/ Players with direct acceptance who do not play an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament will be suspended from a subsequent ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event, which will be the next highest points earned ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event within the next 12 months. If an injured player is on site within the first three days of a tournament to conduct promotional activities over a two-day period, a suspension will not be enforced but a 0-pointer will be counted on a player's ranking. ##

Very nice of Del Potro to say those things about Rafa - I am sure Rafa will appreciate those sentiments as do all of us Rafa fans.

Thanks Gussie. Good I thought there was something like this but couldn't find a reference to it when I Googled to check it out. It had struck me when I first came across the ruling as being rather harsh on people with genuine incapacitating injuries. It conjured up images of players leaving hospital on crutches or in a wheelchair complete with their drips to get to the tournament venue to avoid the penalties :-D

Augustina - that is never enforced

If that rule is in place, then how do you explain for Rafa's absence at Toronto, Cincy and Shanghai? He didn't do any promotional activities at these places, why then must he do it now for Paris??

If I'm not wrong, Rafa in 2010, when he's ye no.1, had a shoulder injury and so he skipped the Paris Masters. However he had to go there to do some promotional work, if not he won't get his ye bonus (he wasn't allowed to skip any Masters yet in 2010). In 2011 he skipped Paris again but this time he's allowed to skip one Masters and so he need not made any appearance there.

I also remember Rafa was injured in 2005 and couldn't play at the YE Championship but he had to be there to do promotional work. He also skipped the 2008 YE Championship due to injury, and this time he didn't get a single cent for his year end bonus(I think a good USD2 mil for finishing as ye no.1) as he wasn't present to do the promotional activities.

The same thing happened to Nole last year when he had to skip Shanghai due to injury. His YE bonus was reduced (from 2mil to 1.6 mil) and if he skipped Paris he would have zero bonus. I'm not sure though that they would implement that suspension penalty.

luckystar 2:38 PM - exactly

wish him luck for 2013