Injury forces Sebastian Korda to withdraw late from Toronto Masters

• Tennis News
• ATP Tennis

Rising American star Sebastian Korda has withdrawn from the Toronto Masters at the last moment due to a lower back injury. Korda, 21, had been expected to make his debut appearance at the Toronto Masters this week. Korda, who is enjoying a career-high ranking of No.

45 in the world, last played at the Citi Open in Washington last week. In Washington, Korda made the round-of-16 before losing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner. Korda was drawn to meet Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka in his Toronto opener.

Korda will be replaced by American lucky loser Frances Tiafoe.

Korda didn't meet idol Rafael Nadal in Washington

Korda was hoping that he would get a chance to play 20-time Grand Slam champion Nadal at the Citi Open in Washington last week.

Unfortunately for Korda, both he and Nadal ended up losing in the round-of-16 so they didn't meet for the second time in their careers. "Ever since I started playing tennis, I kind of really looked up to him,” Korda said of Nadal, per the Washington City Paper.

“Now to be able to practice and play against him is a dream come true. Hopefully we can have many more battles against each other." Nadal also spoke positively of Korda. “Good physical look, good serve, good shots from the baseline.

I think he’s a great guy, complete player,” Nadal said of Korda. “He has a lot of things to do in the next years in our sport. I think I always believe since I saw him play that he going to have the chance to be one of the best players of the world … I think he has all the things that he needs to be a definitely top guy.

Of course, then things are not easy and you need to keep improving. But I definitely believe, if you ask me, he going to be a great one."