Rafael Nadal withdrew from Monte Carlo Masters The 22-time Grand Slam champion was expected to return to the ATP Tour on Thursday.
“Unfortunately, I have to tell you that I am not going to play in Monte Carlo. My body does not allow it,” said the 37-year-old Spaniard. Social media.
The Monte Carlo champion, who holds a record 11 championships, missed virtually the entire 2023 season due to injury and has only played at the Brisbane International this season, where his hip injury flared up.
He lost to Carlos Alcaraz in an exhibition in Las Vegas in March and withdrew from the Indian Wells Masters, where he had originally been aiming to make a comeback.
Rafael Nadal is ranked 646th in the world
“Even though I work hard every day and give my best effort, with a strong desire to play and compete again in a tournament that was very important to me, the truth is that I cannot play today.” continued Nadal.
“You have no idea how difficult it is for me not to be able to attend these events.
“The only thing I can do is accept the situation and try to look to the immediate future while remaining excited and willing to play to give things a chance to get better.”
The clay court specialist has fallen to No. 646 in the ATP Rankings and had planned to use his protected ranking of No. 9 to qualify for the main draw in Monte Carlo, the first clay court Masters 1000 event of the 2024 season. .
Nadal last won 11 tournaments in the principalities in 2018, lost in the semifinals in 2019 and quarterfinals in 2021, and missed the 2020, 2022 and 2023 tournaments.
He planned to use Monte Carlo as a springboard to perhaps the last French Open in history. The French Open is a Grand Slam tournament that he has won a record 14 times.
As reported by a South African website, Rafael Nadal has won more than $134 million in his lifetime.
Written by Garyn Lambly ©Agence France-Presse
