Rafael Nadal Undergoes Appendix Surgery
The much anticipated Paris Masters and ATP finals in London will not feature tennis superstar Rafael Nadal due to surgery on his appendix, effectively ending his 2014 season.
According to BBC Sports, Rafael Nadal underwent successful surgery to remove his appendix on Monday and is expected to leave hospital within 24 hours. The Spaniard, 28, confirmed 10 days ago that he would not play again in 2014 as he required an operation. He has played only seven matches since Wimbledon and been taking antibiotics since October to treat appendicitis.
Bleacher Report revealed that the nine-time French Open champion finishes the 2014 calendar with four victories, though none have come since his Roland Garros triumph over Novak Djokovic. He was unable to defend his U.S. Open championship due to a wrist injury. His struggles and intermittent absences have since dropped him to No. 3 in the world, behind Roger Federer and Djokovic.
Rafael Nadal should not be ruled out of making a comeback to take his place as the No.1 tennis player in the world because he has proven before that he is able to surprise his critics after long absences from the court. According to the Inquisitr, Nadal was able to execute a 12th overall grand slam title win at the French Open even though he had been off the court for seven months due to a knee injury.
“Thanks for all your support! On my way to the operation room for a small surgery,” Nadal wrote in a Facebook message, which had a photo of the 14-time Grand Slam champion as he was going in for the procedure.
Nadal has won 14 Grand Slam singles titles, the 2008 Olympic gold medal in singles, a record 27 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and a record 15 ATP World Tour 500 tournaments. He was also a member of the winning Spain Davis Cup team in 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011. In 2010, he became the seventh player in history and youngest of four in the Open Era to achieve the Career Grand Slam. He is the second male player, after Andre Agassi, to complete the singles Career Golden Slam. In 2011, Nadal was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year.
By winning the 2014 French Open, Nadal became the only male player to win a single Grand Slam tournament nine times and the first to win at least one Grand Slam tournament for 10 consecutive years, breaking the record of eight consecutive years.
It is hoped that Rafael Nadal will continue his winning streak once he recovers from appendix surgery.
[Image Credit: Vincent Thian / Associated Press]
