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

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Barcelona Open.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Ad Nadal had already withdrawn from Indian Wells, the Miami Open and the Monte Carlo Masters as he focuses on returning to full fitness.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. There is the Srpska Open and ATP Munich commencing on April 17, ATP Madrid starting on April 26, ATP Rome beginning on May 10 and ATP Geneva and ATP Lyon on May 21.

Realistically, Nadal will target a return at either of the Masters 1000 events from the above list — Madrid or Rome — ahead of a 15th tilt at Roland Garros glory. Nadal and Djokovic 'have something in their brain not typical of humans' — Norman Exclusive: ‘I don't know how’ — Zverev on Nadal and Federer injury comebacks Exclusive: Zverev says he could have beaten Nadal if not