Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz both pull out of Monte Carlo Masters within minutes of each other

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz have both withdrawn from the Monte Carlo Masters with the Spanish duo announcing the news within minutes of each other. It had been hoped that Nadal could make his return at the opening clay-court Masters tournament on April 10, having not played since the Australian Open due to a muscular injury in his left leg.

Ad But the 36-year-old, who has fallen out of the top 10 in the ATP rankings for the first time since 2005 due to not competing for over two months, has conceded that he is not able to make it back quite so quickly. Roland-GarrosNadal eyes injury comeback in time to be 'competitive' at Roland-Garros30/03/2023 AT 16:30 «Hi everyone, unfortunately, I am still not ready to compete and will miss one of those special tournaments I always love to play,» Nadal said in a statement.

«Monte Carlo is and has been a key event in my career, but unfortunately, I will have to miss it again since I am still not ready to compete without the risk of getting injured. I will continue the process of getting ready to come back.» Moments later, Alcaraz followed his compatriot by also announcing that he would not be able to play in Monte Carlo due to «soreness» following the 'sunshine swing' of Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

After two months of competing, I'm happy to be back home but sad that I finished my semi-final match in Miami with soreness," he confirmed on social media. «After visiting my doctor in Murcia today and being evaluated, I will not be able to go to Monte Carlo to start the tour on the ground.» Nadal withdrew from Indian Wells and the Miami Open as he focused on returning to full fitness, but hopes of an imminent comeback were briefly raised after the Monte Carlo Masters tweeted that