TENNIS in DEPTH.

Rafael Nadal has pulled out of next week’s BNP Paribas Masters to ensure he is in peak condition for the ATP Tour Finals and the start of the 2012 season. The Spaniard, who last competed in Shanghai last month but saw his tournament end at the last-16 stage with defeat to Florian Mayer, will instead focus on the year-ending event in London which starts on November 20 as well as his preparations for next season. Nadal said on his official Facebook page: “I won’t be playing this upcoming week the tournament in Paris Bercy. ”It’s been a difficult decision to take but I understand that it is what I need to do right now to prepare well for the end of this season and also for 2012.

“I hope I can be back in 2012 to that great event in the most beautiful city in the world, and hopefully try to win it once day.” Nadal has had, by his own standards, a mixed year with just three titles to his name, at the French Open and in Barcelona and Monte Carlo.

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