Nadal pulls out of Swiss Indoors Basel tournament

Madrid, Oct 18 (IANS) Spanish World No.1 Rafael Nadal said he was pulling out of the Swiss Indoors Basel, an ATP 500 event that starts next week.

"I sadly announce that I have to pull out of the Swiss Indoors Basel, after seeing my doctor in Spain just after landing from Shanghai," Nadal said on his Facebook page, reports Xinhua news agency.

The 31-year-old Spanish star lost to Swiss great Roger Federer in the final of the Masters 1000 event in Shanghai and it appeared that he was having some problems moving around on court.

"I am suffering from an over stressing of the knee and the problems were already present at the tournament in Shanghai which now forces me to take a time off on advice of my doctor," Nadal said.

Nadal, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, has played 10 hard-court matches in the past 13 days and 75 this year, an extremely grueling schedule.

"After two great weeks in China, with the title in Beijing and the final in Shanghai it is time for some rest," Nadal said.

Less than two weeks ago, Nadal beat Australian Nick Kyrgios 6-2, 6-1 at the China Open in Beijing, clinching his 75th career title.

Nadal is now just two championships behind American John McEnroe, who is fourth on the list of titles in the Open Era.

Nadal is still scheduled to play in the Masters 1000 Paris-Bercy event, which starts on October 30, and the ATP World Tour Finals in London from November 12-19.

"I want to send a special message to the many tennis fans in Switzerland which (sic) have always showed (sic) great support and respect also on my matches with Roger. Hope to see you next year," Nadal said.