Richard Krajicek understands why Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer skipped Rotterdam

The ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament could have had two of the greatest players of all time in the draw this week, with the organizers hoping to host Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

In the end, both legends decided to skip Rotterdam, with Nadal withdrawing due to back issues and Federer choosing the next week's Doha event as the first comeback stop. Richard Krajicek knew that Nadal could make such a decision after competing in Melbourne with painkillers.

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He only reached Federer to say that he is welcomed in Rotterdam, as always. Krajicek understands Roger's position after such a long break and why he picked Doha for his first tournaments in almost 14 months.

"I saw Rafael Nadal playing at the Australian Open, making a good impression but probably competing thanks to painkillers. I did not assume that he would withdraw, but you know it can happen. A top tennis player is a kind of Formula 1 car. It is so fine-tuned. If something does not run completely smoothly, then that causes it.

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We have been in contact with Roger Federer to make it clear that he is welcome. Federer has not taken action for over a year, and he did not want to rush his return. That is why he chooses Doha instead of Rotterdam," Richard Krajicek said.