Rafael Nadal blames ending season early on injuries

On Monday, the Spanish tennis player, Rafael Nadal announced he has cut his season short because of more health setbacks.

Following a right knee injury he sustained in the US Open semifinals, Nadal has been sidelined and was scheduled to return back to the court in the ATP World Tour Finals, which commence in London on Sunday

Taking to his twitter page, Nadal said: "Hello everyone: I am writing these to you as the end of the season, It has been a difficult year, excellent at the tennis level when I was able to play and at the same time worst in terms of injuries."

Nadal will be replaced by John Isner in the ATP Finals field.

The 32-year old Nadal was present in last week's Paris Masters draw, but withdrew due to an abdominal injury minutes before he was due to take the court. On Monday, he had surgery on his right ankle.

Nadal, who lost world number 1 spot to Novak Djokovic, ends 2018 season with five titles, including his record 11th French Open championship, and a 45-4 record. Despite his triumphs, Nadal's season was marred by injury woes, making him Abou Diaby of tennis.

In the Australian Open quarterfinal in January, Nadal suffered a hip injury that forced him to pull out of the fifth set against Marin Cilic. 

Nadal skipped the first two Masters events of the season, at Indian Wells and Miami. And also missed the rest of the spring hard-court season.

When Nadal returned, he dominated the clay courts, winning four of five events he featured. But after the French Open in June, he competed in only three events. 

For the fifth time, Djokovic is assured of finishing the year atop the ATP rankings because Nadal's season is over.