Preparations by Rafael Nadal for a record-extending 15th French Open title were hampered. He declared his withdrawal from the upcoming Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday.
“Hi everyone, I’m still not ready to compete at the highest level,” the 36-year-old Spaniard tweeted.
“I will not be able to play in one of the most important tournaments of my career, Monte Carlo.”
The French Open warm-up event, which Rafael Nadal has won 11 times. Kicks off on Saturday, followed by the French Open on May 28.
Nadal said he hoped to be back in action shortly after suffering a hip flexor injury in the second round of the Australian Open against Mackenzie McDonald in January.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner withdrew from hard-court tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami. With a return planned for the start of the clay court season.
Between 2005 and 2012, Nadal set a record by winning the Monte Carlo Masters eight times in a row.
After the tournament’s director announced that Nadal had registered for this year’s version, the Spaniard denied participation last week.
“I’m not sure where this information comes from. But, if it were true, I would confirm it. But unfortunately, I cannot confirm it,” Nadal said at an event.
“Things are moving day by day, and I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”
Nadal is missing from court since January
Nadal has been out of the game since his stunning second-round exit in the Australian Open in January. When he was defeated by American Mackenzie McDonald.
In that encounter, Nadal suffered an injury that was later diagnosed as a grade 2 iliopsoas muscle strain in his left leg. The Spaniard then missed the full hardcourt season. But he was expected to return with the start of the clay court season.
David Massey, the event director at the Monte Carlo Masters, confirmed that Nadal would compete in the tournament that he had won 11 times. The 22-time Grand Slam champion was also observed preparing for the event. However, Nadal admitted that he is not yet 100 percent ready to compete at the highest level and withdrew from the Masters 1000 event.