Rafael Nadal will not be competing at the 15th French Open warm-up tournament, Monte Carlo Masters, which begins on Saturday, halting his record-extending appearance, reports NDTV Sports.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion cited his hip flexor injury sustained at the Australian Open in January as the primary reason he cannot play at his best and is still on a road to recovery.
Nadal has tasted victory 11 times at the Monte Carlo Masters tournament, including record-slamming eight straight wins between 2005 and 2012.
On Tuesday, the tennis legend took to Twitter to inform his fans of his decision. “Hi everyone, I’m still not ready to compete at the highest level. I will not be able to play in one of the most important tournaments of my career, Monte Carlo.”
Rafael Nadal will miss next week's Monte Carlo Masters having failed to recover from an injury that has sidelined him for months 🎾
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 4, 2023
"I am not yet in a position to play with the maximum guarantees and I continue my preparation process, hoping to return soon." https://t.co/CejCT7MoWC
Take your time, Rafa!
— Rafael Nadal Fans (@RafaelNadalFC) April 4, 2023
A year of “injuries” or “recovery” for Rafael ?
Currently World no 14, Rafael has had a more than decade long career which saw him suffer injuries almost every year, except for 2015 where he experienced emotional turmoil, being described as a “mental injury”.
Nadal has been out of action since January when he injured his knee in the second round of the Australian Open.
Following a lengthy series of struggles with his foot, rib, and abdomen in 2022 season, the 36-year-old has got no relief with injuries.
2022 belongs to Rafael Nadal.
He’d have wrapped up number 1 and a third major for sure had it not been for the rib or ab injuries.
All in all, that was a very productive campaign.
We want another 2 in 2023 Rafa
— AR (@BuggyWhipFH) September 12, 2022
Rafael Nadal is a sight to see on the court, and we hope that the coming year will be one of recovery and turnarounds for the tennis veteran as he strives to return to clay in his typical unshaken form.
