Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, world number 2, will not play the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells and Miami due to an injury to his right leg, the athlete announced on his Facebook account.
“Unfortunately I am forced to write this to you, but my worst omens were confirmed and in the end the injury I suffered in the last training session in Acapulco before starting the tournament turns out to be in the same area as in Melbourne. I will not be able to play in Indian Wells or Miami and the objective now is to recover to be ready for the clay court season, ”explained Nadal, 31 years old.
The second in the world rankings withdrew from the Mexican Tennis Open even before making his debut after suffering from a leg injury, suffered on January 23 in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open against Croatian Marin Cilic.
«If it was painful to retire in Acapulco where I have so many fans who always support me, it is also painful not to be with my fans in the United States on this American tour in March that has always been important. I will miss you but I will do my best to be back in 2019. Thank you very much, “he added.
– A start to the year in red –
The beginning of the season for Nadal is not being expected.
After retiring from the Australian Open and giving up the head of the ATP classification to the detriment of the Swiss Roger Federer, now he will not be able to play the Indian Wells Masters 1000 either, which will be held from March 5 to 18 and from March 20 to 2 April respectively.
In addition, Nadal already knows what it is to succeed on the hard courts of the BNP Paribas Open, since he won it in 2013 (against Argentine Juan Martín del Potro), in 2009 (against British Andy Murray) and in 2007 (against Serbian Novak Djokovic).
“We are disappointed that Rafa cannot compete for the title this year. We wish him the best for a speedy recovery and we hope to see him in action next year at Indian Wells, “said tournament director, former German tennis player Tommy Haas.
In Miami, considered the fifth Grand Slam, things have not gone so well so far, staying on the verge of success on several occasions: in 2017 and 2005 he lost the final to Federer, in 2014 and 2011 he succumbed to Djokovic and in 2008 he did it against Russian Nikolay Davydenko.
“We send our best wishes to the 2017 finalist @RafaelNadal, who has retired to recover from a previous injury. We will miss you and we hope you return healthy “, published for its part the organization of the Miami tournament on its Twitter account.
Nadal will now focus on being fully recovered for the clay court season, with Roland Garros in his sights.
His favorite tournament, in which he has raised the cup up to 10 times, will be played from May 21 to June 10. AFP