Rafael Nadal pulled out of the Paris Masters on Wednesday guaranteeing Novak Djokovic’s return to world number one spot.
Announcing his withdrawal Nadal said: “My abdominal muscles haven’t felt good for the past few days, especially on service, doctors recommended that I didn’t play.”
Djokovic arrived in Paris knowing that he would regain top spot he relinquished two years ago if he bettered the Spaniard’s performance at the indoor event he has won four times.