Nadal withdraws from Indian Wells due to injury

28.02.2023 - 21:03 channelnewsasia.com

:Three-time champion Rafa Nadal has withdrawn from the Masters 1000 event starting next week in Indian Wells due to injury, tournament organisers said on Tuesday.The 36-year-old Spaniard, who was a runner-up last year in Indian Wells, has not competed since his Australian Open title defence in January ended in a second-round defeat during which he aggravated a hip problem."We wish Rafa continued healing, and hope to see him back at the BNP Paribas Open next year," tournament director Tommy Haas said in a statement.Nadal won at Indian Wells in 2007, 2009 and 2013.At the Australian Open, top seed Nadal tweaked his left hip while running for a backhand in the second set at Rod Laver Arena, and after inspection from a trainer when trailing 6-4 5-3, he went off-court for a medical time-out.The 22-times Grand Slam champion returned grim-faced to play out the match but his movement was clearly affected, paving the way for American Mackenzie McDonald to end the Spaniard's bid for a third title at Melbourne Park.

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Carlos Alcaraz said he wanted to emulate Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic by winning titles straight after coming back from injury, with the world number two closing in on the Indian Wells crown with his win over Felix Auger-Aliassime on Thursday.

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Rafa Nadal has signed up to compete at the Monte Carlo Masters next month, organisers of the claycourt tournament said, as the Spaniard prepares to return to the Tour after recovering from a hip flexor injury.

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Rafael Nadal's 'biggest enemy' named – and it’s not a player

Eurosport expert Mats Wilander believes Rafael Nadal is more mentally strong and tactically adept than at any point in his career – but said his movement on court would likely prove “his biggest enemy”. Nadal, who has not competed since losing in the Australian Open second round in January, has been tormented by injury in 2023 and pulled out of Indian Wells and the Miami Open with a hip complaint last month. Ad Wilander has no doubt that he has the game to compete with the likes of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz for tennis’ biggest prizes, but said the 36-year-old may be hampered by his speed around the court.