Thursday 9 October 2014 20:38, UK
Rafa Nadal is recovering satisfactorily from appendicitis and will continue a course of antibiotics in a bid to be fit for the remainder of the season.
World No 2 Nadal returned to the court for the first time since Wimbledon last week in Beijing before he was diagnosed with appendicitis ahead of this week’s Shanghai Masters.
He was able to play his second-round opening match against fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez on Wednesday but lost 6-3 7-6 before returning to Spain for tests in Barcelona.
"In medical terms his development is satisfactory and he is not currently showing any symptoms," said Nadal's spokesman.
"The (antibiotics) treatment will continue for 4-5 days and depending on his recovery the necessary decisions will be taken on further treatment."
Nadal said after his Shanghai exit he was planning to play the indoor hard court tournament in Basel later this month as well as the Paris Masters and the season-ending ATP Tour Finals in London.
The 28-year-old will then have surgery to remove his appendix and hopes to be back in time for the beginning of the 2015 season.
After Nadal's early exit in Shanghai, Roger Federer will replace him at No 2 in the rankings when they are updated on Monday.
