Rafael Nadal wants to miss the ATP 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami, the 22-time Grand Slam champion confirmed on social media on Tuesday. “I’m sad I won’t be able to compete in Indian Wells or Miami,” Nadal said in a tweet that came after Indian Wells officials announced he had withdrawn from the California desert tournament that begins next week.
“Very sad not to be there. I will miss all my fans in the US, but I look forward to seeing you later this year on the summer tour.”
The news comes after the Spaniard said in late January that he expected to miss six to eight weeks with the hip flexor injury he sustained at the Australian Open. “We wish Rafa’s continued recovery and look forward to seeing him back at the BNP Paribas Open next year,” Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas said in a statement.
Nadal, who said on January 26 that tests had confirmed a moderate muscle tear in his left hip, posted a video on Twitter showing him training in the gym. “I took my time off, started rehab, gym and physiotherapy as directed by the doctors,” he said. “Preparing to return in the best conditions.”
That likely means for the clay court season that begins in mid-April and leads up to Roland Garros, where he would be chasing a 15th French Open title in May.
Nadal, who made history as the first man to win 21 Grand Slam singles titles at the 2022 Australian Open, limped out of this year’s edition in January after just two matches.
He said in Melbourne that he had the problem for “a couple of days” but had not received a diagnosis at the time. Nadal, whose stellar career has been marred by injury, insisted he would keep playing.
Last year, Nadal was unbeaten heading into Indian Wells, having notched victories in a taper at the Australian Open in Melbourne before rallying from straight sets to beat Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final.
He won the ATP tournament in Acapulco and reached the final in Indian Wells, where he was stunned by American Taylor Fritz in the final while battling a rib injury. He came back to win his 22nd Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, a record Novak Djokovic has since equaled.
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