03/07/2024 09:33hs.
In 2023, Rafael Nadal He assured that it was not unreasonable to think that 2024 would be his last year on the circuit. Unfortunately for him, his physical condition is not allowing him to compete again and this Wednesday at the last minute confirmed that he will not be present in Indian Wells.
The reasons for Rafa’s absence in Indian Wells
Although he arrived in California a long time in advance to prepare for one of the Masters 1000 on the calendar, The Spaniard continues without leaving behind the iliac psoas injury suffered at the beginning of the year at the Australian Open and that is why he decided to withdraw from a new tournament.
Rafa’s return to the courts is a real unknown. Although the evolution is day by day, the Mallorcan is seeking to reach a physical level that allows him to compete and rub shoulders with those who win titles these days. His desire is to spend the last months of his career playing at high performance and for that, it is essential to achieve good sporting health. Something that hasn’t happened in a long time.
This Sunday, he was part of an exhibition with his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz and, although Nadal showed intact signs on his forehand, the explosiveness that always characterized him does not appear with the same intensity and That is one of the big factors in delaying his return.
The multiple Grand Slam winner was due to play this Thursday against Milos Raonic in the first round, but his place in Indian Wells will be taken by the Indian Sumit Nagal, who enters the main draw as a lucky loser and will have a golden opportunity.
Nadal still cannot return. (REUTERS)
Rafa’s full statement
“It is with great sadness that I have to withdraw from this incredible tournament. Everyone knows how much I love this place and how much I like playing here in Indian Wells. That is also one of the reasons why I came very early to the desert to practice and try to prepare. I have been working hard and practicing and you all know that I took an exam this weekend but I am not ready to play at the highest level in such an important event. It is not an easy decision, it is a difficult decision in fact, but I can’t lie to myself and lie to the thousands of fans. “I’m going to miss everyone and I’m sure the tournament will be a great success,” he wrote.
Unsuccessful debut for Cachín
Pedro Cachín was the first Argentine to debut in the main draw of Indian Wells and he did so with a defeat. He fell in three sets with the German Yannick Hanfmann with partials of 7-6 (7) 4-6 and 1-6 in 2h20m. The Cordoban had started the match very precisely from the back of the court, but as the games went by his rival got into rhythm and everything became uphill for Pedro who saw a great opportunity pass him by.
The other Argentines who remain to debut are Francisco Cerúndolo, who will go against the Kazakh Aleksandr Schenchenko and Nadia Podoroska against the local, Ashlyn Krueger.
Cachín was unable to overcome the first round. (AFP)
2024-03-07 12:33:15
#Nadal #left #Indian #Wells #due #injury #play #Olé
