Rafael Nadal announced he underwent successful ankle surgery.
The second-ranked Spaniard took to Twitter today to say surgery "went well."
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"Thank you for the messages I received yesterday and today," Nadal posted on Twitter. "The ankle surgery went well and from home tell you that we postpone the exhibition party planned for the benefit of the victims in Llevant de Mallorca."
Dr. Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, one of two doctors who performed surgery on Nadal in Barcelona, said if recovery goes as planned the 11-time Roland Garros champion will be on track to start "2019 normally."
"It will be 48 hours very quiet, to see how it evolves, and then start moving the ankle and work a lot in the pool," Dr. Ruiz-Cotorro said in comments published by El Espanol. "When a longer period has elapsed, we will start with charges and supports. We will go at the right speed within what common sense allows us. Without hurry, but without pause.
"I think we will reach the new season if everything goes according to plan. We are convinced that 2019 can begin normally."
The 17-time Grand Slam champion, who lost the world No. 1 ranking to Novak Djokovic yesterday, withdrew from the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals to recover from surgery and a strained abdominal muscle.
Nadal's departure from the draw sealed Djokovic's fifth stint as year-end world No. 1.
Photo credit: Christopher Levy