Spaniard Rafael Nadal, 37, announced on Wednesday that he is withdrawing from the Indian Wells tournament, where he was due to face Canadian Milso Raonic in the first round.
With Nadal’s withdrawal, it is instead Indian player Sumit Nagal who will face Raonic on Thursday.
I am working hard and training a lot to get back in shape, and I tested my condition last weekend, but I do not feel ready to play at the highest level required for an event as important as Indian Wells, Nadal said on Twitter.
It’s not an easy decision but I can’t lie to myself and to the thousands of supporters.
Nadal was to embark on a new comeback attempt at Indian Wells to remove doubts about the face of his season, possibly his last.
The Majorcan legend with 22 grand slam titles, the last in 2022, and falling to 652nd place in the world, still dreams of being competitive for the clay court season and especially at Roland-Garros for his favorite fortnight (May 20-9 June) then for the Paris Olympic Games (July 26-August 11) also on Parisian ocher.
He missed almost the entire 2023 season and underwent two surgeries to repair a hip, before announcing his return in December. After playing three matches in Brisbane in January, he had to withdraw from the Australian Open immediately due to a muscle injury.
Last Saturday, he was able to gauge himself during an exhibition match in Las Vegas lost 3-6, 6-4 and 14-12 against his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, world No. 2 and defending champion at Indian Wells.
With information from Agence France-Presse
2024-03-07 02:17:13
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