Rafael Nadal out of Indian Wells with lingering hip injury

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Rafael Nadal pulled out of the upcoming Indian Wells hard-court tournament on Tuesday because of the left hip flexor injury that has sidelined him since the Australian Open.

Nadal and the California tournament announced the 22-time Grand Slam champion's withdrawal.

«I am sad that I won't be able to compete at Indian Wells nor Miami,» Nadal posted to Twitter. «Very sad not to be there. I'll miss all my US fans but I hope to see them later this year during the summer swing.»

Nadal said that he has started «rehab, gym and physiotherapy as instructed by the doctors» so that he can «come back in the best conditions.»

Nadal is a three-time winner at the BNP Paribas Open, where main draw play begins on March 8.

The 36-year-old from Spain hurt his hip flexor during a second-round loss at Melbourne Park to Mackenzie McDonald of the United States in January.