Rafael Nadal has opted to forego appendicitis surgery until after the ATP World Tour Finals following a consultation with a Spanish tennis federation doctor in Barcelona two days ago, according to a report by AS.
The current world number two will instead continue his antibiotics course for at least five more days, in the hopes of keeping pain and inflammation from the condition at a minimum so that he may train for the tournament between November 9 to 16 in London, according to his official fan website.
Nadal reportedly began to feel sharp abdominal pains when in Shanghai for the Shanghai masters, and was diagnosed with appendicitis at a hospital the following day, AS reported.
The Spaniard was left bed ridden and could not take in solid food, though the antibiotics helped to reduce pain and inflammation, AS went on to report.
Nadal nevertheless played through his injury against fellow countryman Feliciano Lopez in the second round of the tournament in Shanghai three days ago, losing in straight sets 6 – 3, 7 – 6.
He thereafter returned to his home Mallorca yesterday, citing the Australian Open as the tournament he wishes to return in the best possible condition, according to an interview with a local TV station.
The Spaniard also mentioned his plan to play out the rest of the season, and have the surgery early only if the antibiotics prove to not be enough.
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