Nadal pulls out of Paris Masters

World No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from next week's Paris Masters, the last ATP tournament before the World Tour Finals. Nadal said Thursday he needed additional time to prepare for the World Tour Finals, which are scheduled for Nov. 20-27 in London. "It's been a difficult decision to take but I understand it is what I need to do right now to prepare well for the end of this season and also for 2012," Nadal said through the ATP. "I hope I can be back in 2012 to that great event in the most beautiful city in the world and hopefully try to win it one day." Nadal's affinity to Paris could be related to his success at the French Open, which this year he won for the sixth time. However, his best finish at the Paris Masters was runner-up in 2007. Nadal is the only Top 10 player not playing in one of the two ATP events this week in Spain and Switzerland. He has already qualified for the World Tour Finals.