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Why some tennis fans aren't happy about this photo

A photo promoting the upcoming ATP Finals has left a number of tennis fans upset.

The photo was posted on Tennis TV’s Facebook page on Tuesday, showing the eight participants in the year-end tournament in London.

However there was one notable absentee who many fans expected to see.

Just hours before the photo was posted, Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal due to injury.

Dominic Thiem, John Isner, Kevin Anderson, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Kei Nishikori and Marin Cilic. Image: Tennis TV
Dominic Thiem, John Isner, Kevin Anderson, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Kei Nishikori and Marin Cilic. Image: Tennis TV

Numerous fans clearly hadn’t heard Rafa’s announcement and wondered why he’d been left out of the photo.

“Where is Rafa?” one user commented.

Others were also upset that Juan Martin del Potro was also out injured.

“Without Delpo and Rafa is a very poor tournament,” another user wrote.

“It is not the same without Rafa and del Potro,” another said.

While one user simply wrote Nadal with three crying face emojis.

Nadal’s season is over. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Nadal’s season is over. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Nadal’s withdrawal means Novak Djokovic will end the year as world No.1 having returned to the top of the rankings on Monday.

Nadal announced that an abdominal muscle problem, which prevented him from playing in the Paris Masters last week, and ankle surgery had forced him to pull out of the season-ending event.

“Unfortunately I had the abdominal problem in Paris last week and I also have an issue in the ankle joint that has to be removed in the operating room today,” the 17-times Grand Slam winner wrote on Twitter.

“This way I hope to be in full condition for next season.”

John Isner will take the 32-year-old’s place in London when the Finals get underway on Sunday.

Kei Nishikori has also been drafted in to replace Del Potro, who pulled out due to a knee injury.

Djokovic will become the first player since the ATP rankings were introduced in 1973 to end the year at No.1 having been outside the top 20 during the same season.

with AAP