Rafael Nadal withdraws from Barcelona Open as he continues injury recuperation: 'I'm still not prepared'

14.04.2023 - 10:25 eurosport.com

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Barcelona Open. The 22-time Grand Slam winner has not played since the Australian Open due to a muscular injury in his left leg.

Ad Nadal had already withdrawn from Indian Wells, the Miami Open and the Monte Carlo Masters as he focuses on returning to full fitness.

Roland-GarrosNadal and Djokovic 'have something in their brain not typical of humans' — NormanA DAY AGO “Barcelona is a special tournament for me because it's my adopted club and because playing at home is always a unique feeling,” wrote Nadal on Instagram. “I'm still not prepared and therefore I'm still in my preparation process for the return to competition. “Good luck to my friend [and tournament director] David Ferrer and his whole team for this edition of the Godo that will surely be a success as always on all levels.” Nadal has fallen out of the top 10 in the ATP rankings for the first time since 2005 due to not competing for nearly three months, but the 36-year-old has won 14 French Open titles and is expected to be in the draw when the event begins on May 28.

However, there are just four competition windows left for him to play competitive clay-court tennis ahead of the tournament.

tennis Barcelona Monte Carlo as Rafael Nadal Roland Garros David Ferrer France Australia Madrid India Rome

Rafael Nadal's uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, is optimistic his nephew will play at the French Open, but admitted Tuesday that the record 14-time champion will not arrive under ideal circumstances. "Rafa is recovering, I think it won't be long before he can compete again, but in the tournament here (the Madrid Open) it could not be," Toni Nadal told Spanish public broadcaster TVE. Rafa Nadal announced he would not participate in Madrid last week as he continues to recover from the hip injury he suffered in January in the Australian Open.

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Rafael Nadal said Thursday he will miss the Madrid Masters tournament later this month as he continues his recovery from a hip injury, a significant blow to his French Open preparations. "For the moment I've missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona. And unfortunately I won't be able to be in Madrid either," Nadal said on Instagram. "The injury still hasn't healed," he added. The 36-year-old Spaniard has not played since losing in the second round of the Australian Open in January.

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