Rafael Nadal announced this Wednesday that he is withdrawing from the Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells after not feeling fully fit and still has not played an official match since the Brisbane tournament (Australia).
“It is with great sadness that I have to withdraw from this fantastic tournament. “Everyone knows how much I like this place and how much I like to compete here in Indian Wells,” Nadal reported in a note published by the tournament.
“I’ve been working hard and training and you all know I did a test this weekend, but I am not ready to play at the highest level in such an important event,” he added.
“It is not an easy decision. It’s very hard indeed, but I can’t lie to myself and lie to thousands of fans. I will miss you and I am sure that this tournament will be a great success,” he concluded.
Nadal, 37, had played an exhibition match last Sunday in Las Vegas against his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, in which he had shown a good level of form and in which he fell despite canceling five match points.
The one from Manacor, who entered the main draw with a protected ranking and was going to debut on Thursday against the Canadian Milos Raonicgives up a tournament he won three times in his career.
What could be the next tournament in which Rafael Nadal participates?
It is the second consecutive year in which Nadal does not compete in Indian Wells. Nadal’s last official match dates back to January 5 in Brisbane, when he suffered a muscle micro-tear.
His place in the main draw at Indian Wells will be taken by Sumit Nagal, from India.
During his career he has missed fifteen Grand Slams due to injury and has withdrawn from another five.
After the Master 1,000 in Miami, which will follow the one in Indian Wells, the big ones will begin clay tournaments, Nadal’s natural habitat, which has dropped to number 652 in the ranking. His big goal this year is Paris twice: Roland Garros and the Olympic Games.
Keep reading:
– Novak Djokovic thanked the Galaxy and Inter Miami for living an “American football” experience
– Rafael Nadal gets into shape in California to return to action at Indian Wells