Rafael Nadal reveals ‘very difficult moments’ after withdrawing from Monte Carlo Masters
Rafael Nadal will continue his absence from the ATP Tour, after confirming that he has to withdraw from the Monte Carlo Masters.
Nadal has only played three matches since the 2023 Australian Open, after obtaining a serious psoas tear.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion returned to action at the start of this year at the Brisbane International, reaching the quarter-final before revealing that he had picked up a ‘micro tear’ on a muscle.
This lead to the Spaniard withdrawing from the Australian Open, and more recently the Qatar Open, Indian Wells and now the Monte Carlo Masters.
Nadal released a statement on social media earlier today confirming his withdrawal, “These are very difficult moments for me, sporting wise. Unfortunately I have to tell you that I am not going to be playing in Monte Carlo. My body simply won’t allow me.”
The 37-year-old continued, “Even if I am working hard and making the maximum effort every day with all the will to play and compete again at tournaments that have been very important for me, the truth is that I can’t play today.
“You have no idea how hard this is for me to not be able to play these events. The only thing I can do is to accept the situation and try to look at the immediate future keeping the excitement and will to play in order to give me a chance for things to get better.”
And even if I am working hard & making the maximum effort every day with all the will to play and compete again at tournaments that have been very important for me, the truth is that I can’t play today. You have no idea how hard this is for me to not be able to play these events.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) April 4, 2024
Nadal is a record 11-time champion at the Monte Carlo Masters, but after his withdrawal will be replaced by Chinese No.1 Zhizhen Zhang.
The former world No.1 has openly admitted that this is likely to be his final year on tour, with the clay court season being the priority, and now has just over six weeks to get fit for Roland Garros.
Inside the baseline…
It is another very sad and unfortunately familiar announcement from Rafael Nadal, who seems to be getting closer and closer to the end of his career. Hopefully Nadal can get ready for at least one ‘last hurrah’ at Roland Garros, with six weeks sounding a lot longer than it actually is when you consider the Spaniard’s injury situation.
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