The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been out of the game since suffering a hip injury in the second round of the Australian Open. Nadal announced on social media shortly after the Grand Slam. That he had been diagnosed with a grade 2 injury in his iliacus psoas. The iliacus muscle, according to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, stabilizes the pelvis and allows for proper hip flexion. The Spaniard predicted that it would take him eight weeks to heal at the time of the announcement. But it is taking longer than expected. “Barcelona is a tournament that is special to me,” Nadal said in a statement. “I’m still not ready and, therefore, I continue my preparation process for the return to competition.”
Nadal has won the Barcelona Open a record 12 times and has a tournament win-loss record of 64-4. In his homage. The Real Club de Tenis Barcelona’s central court was renamed Pista Rafa Nadal in 2017.
“Good luck to my friend David Ferrer (Barcelona Open tournament director) and his whole team for this edition of the Godo that will surely be a success as always on all levels,” Nadal commented.
He has missed the ATP 500 event for the second year in a row. Due to a rib injury, he was forced to withdraw in 2022.
The 36-year-old is racing against the clock to be ready for the French Open. Where he hopes to capture his 15th Roland Garros title. It is unknown when he will make his comeback, but the next important tournament is the Madrid Masters, which will begin in the last week of April.
Nadal is rated 15th in the world right now.