Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Monte-Carlo Masters, on Thursday, citing the limitations of his body as the reason for his absence.
The 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters is scheduled to take place from April 7 to April 14 at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Nadal had been sidelined for a year following an injury sustained at the 2023 Australian Open, but he returned to competitive tennis in Brisbane this January after recovering from a hip flexor injury.
However, he was unable to participate in the Australian Open after suffering another muscle tear. The 37-year-old confirmed on social media that his body was still not ready for the demands of top-level tennis.
“Hi all, these are very difficult moments for me, sporting wise. Unfortunately I have to tell you that I am not going to be playing in Monte-Carlo. My body simply won’t allow me. And even if I am working hard & making the maximum effort every day with all the will to play and compete again at tournaments that have been very important for me, the truth is that I can’t play today,” Nadal wrote on X.
No me queda más que aceptar la situación e intentar mirar hacia el futuro inmediato manteniendo la ilusión y las ganas para darme la oportunidad de que las cosas mejoren.
Un abrazo fuerte a todos y ¡gracias por el cariño y apoyo siempre!— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) April 4, 2024
“You have no idea how hard this is for me to not be able to play these events. The only thing I can do is to accept the situation and try to look at the immediate future keeping the excitement and will to play in order to give me a chance for things to get better,” he added.
The southpaw, an 11-time Monte-Carlo champion, concluded his message with a note to his fans. He stated: “Thanks again to all, as always, for all the support and best wishes!” Thanks to his exceptional performance at the Monte-Carlo Masters, Nadal has solidified his position as the undisputed monarch of the Principality. During the ATP Masters 1000 event, the 37-year-old achieved a remarkable milestone: securing more titles than losses in a single tournament. As an 11-time Monte-Carlo champion, Nadal boasts a staggering 73-6 overall tournament record, highlighted by a 46-match winning streak from 2005 to 2013.
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