• ATP Tour

Nadal allays injury concerns ahead of London

Rafael Nadal is hoping to overcome a troublesome shoulder injury in time for the ATP World Tour Finals in London which start on November 21 © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Murray philosophical after emotional doubles triumph
  
• What the Deuce: The race to London
  
• News: Fresh injury fears over Nadal after Paris withdrawal
  
• Profile: Nikolay Davydenko | Roger Federer | Andy Murray | Rafael Nadal

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal is confident of being fit for the end-of-season ATP World Tour Finals in London despite withdrawing from this week's Paris Masters with a shoulder complaint.

The Spaniard, who has claimed the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles in a glittering 2010, was forced to pull out of the tournament in Paris because of a sore shoulder but the 24-year-old has assured his fans he will take his place in the eight-man line-up at the O2 Arena.

"I am not worried at all about London," he said. "It was not an easy decision because Paris is a special city for me, but I have played all the season's Masters and grand slams. I will be back to practice soon."

Following a miserable performance when the tournament was first staged in London's Docklands last year, Nadal is determined to end the year in style.

"I'm going to do all in my hands to play well there," he said. "It's my goal to improve the image of last year in London."

Meanwhile, Boris Becker has stoked the fires ahead of the season finale by claiming Roger Federer and Andy Murray need to prove themselves.

After Federer beat Murray in the Australian Open final in January, the pair's achievements have been overshadowed by Nadal's success on court and Becker expects them to raise their level in London and beyond.

"I think we will see some big names in the semi-finals and final," he told Press Association Sport. "Nikolay Davydenko was maybe a surprise winner last year but I think this is an important tournament for Federer, Murray and Djokovic - they have something to prove with Nadal winning three of the four grand slams this year.

"Roger played perfect tennis for five or six years but because he has won so much I think his intensity level has dropped just a little, maybe 5%, but that is all it takes. He has the perfect life with his wife and young children but I think he can win more grand slam titles.

"As for Murray, the question is always can he win a grand slam, and the answer is yes. He is still young, 23 is nothing, and he is playing well again after a disappointing US Open (where he lost in the third round to Stanislas Wawrinka). Winning Shanghai was big for him but we want to see him win at the 02 and the Australian Open."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.