Rafael Nadal and Kei Nishikori pull out of the National Bank Open in Toronto

Two grand slam finalists have pulled out of the 2021 National Bank Open in Toronto (formerly known as the Rogers Cup) due to various injuries. Twenty-eight time finalist Rafael Nadal of Spain has had to pull out because of a foot injury, while Kei Nishikori of Japan, the 2014 United States Open finalist, pulled out because of a shoulder injury.

Due to Nadal’s withdrawal, he has been replaced in the National Bank Open by fellow Spaniard, Feliciano Lopez. No one is replacing Nishikori because he already beat Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 in the first round. The beneficiary of Nishikori’s withdrawal is 2021 Wimbledon semifinalist Hubert Hurkacz of Poland. Due to the fact Hurkacz is the seventh seed in Toronto, he got a bye to the second round and is now in the final 16 of the men’s draw without ever having to take a step on the court.

Nadal meanwhile has won five National Bank Open titles–the second most men’s singles titles of all-time. The player with the most Canadian men’s tennis singles titles all-time is Ivan Lendl with six. Nadal’s titles have come in 2005, 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2019. The five players Nadal has beaten the final over the years were Andre Agassi, Nicolas Keifer, Milos Raonic, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev.

Raonic is not in Toronto either because of a heel injury. The veteran Canadian has also announced he will not be participating at next week’s ATP Masters 1o00 series event in Cincinnati. Due to the fact he is missing Cincinnati, Raonic will see a significant drop in the ATP World Rankings, where he is currently 23rd.  At the 2020 Western & Southern Open, which was played in New York, Raonic reached the final before losing to Novak Djokovic of Serbia. 

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