Nadal not to play in Paris due to abdominal problems, to lose World No.1 spot

Paris   :  Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal announced on Wednesday that he will not be able to compete at the Paris Masters due to abdominal problems, meaning that the Spaniard will lose the world number one position in the ATP rankings.

Nadal confirmed his withdrawal from the tournament at a press conference ahead of his match against his fellow Spaniard, Fernando Verdasco, world No. 27, reports Efe.

"These days I felt good but I have started to feel some abdominal pain," the 32-year-old "King of Clay" said, noting that his doctor recommended that he not play.

With the absence of Nadal from the tournament, Serbian Novak Djokovic, currently world No. 2, is set to take the top spot of the ATP rankings, to be released on Monday.