Nadal, aged 37, returned to competition at January’s Brisbane International following nearly a year-long absence due to injury. However, he suffered a hip injury during the tournament, forcing him to withdraw from the Australian Open.
Despite playing an exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday, Nadal expressed that he is not yet prepared to compete at the highest level. In an Instagram post, the 22-time Grand Slam champion expressed his disappointment at having to withdraw from the Indian Wells tournament, a venue he holds dear and had been diligently preparing for.
In May, after missing the French Open for the first time in 19 years, Nadal hinted that 2024 might mark the final year of his illustrious career. Last month, the former world number one admitted uncertainty regarding the number of tournaments he could participate in before retiring, indicating that the number would be limited.
On Thursday, Nadal, a three-time champion at Indian Wells, expressed his difficulty in making the decision to withdraw from the tournament, despite his extensive preparation and recent testing. He admitted feeling unprepared to compete at the highest level in such a significant event.
Acknowledging the disappointment this decision may bring to fans, Nadal emphasized his commitment to honesty, both with himself and his supporters. While expressing his regrets at missing out on the tournament, he conveyed his confidence that it would be a success without him.
Looking ahead, Nadal’s next anticipated tournament is likely to be the Monte Carlo Masters next month, where he has enjoyed considerable success on his favored clay surface, securing the title 11 times.
