Rafael Nadal withdraws from Indian Wells and Miami Open due to injury in setback in build-up to French Open

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from Indian Wells and the Miami Open due to an injury in a hit to his preparation for the French Open. Nadal struggled with a hip injury at the Australian Open, where he lost in straight sets to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round. Ad He is currently ranked eighth in the world but is likely to drop outside of the top 10 in the ATP rankings for the first time since 2005.

Roland-GarrosExclusive: Nadal still favourite for French Open according to Becker13 HOURS AGO Indian Wells is the first Masters event of the season and will take place from March 8-19, which is followed by the Miami Open on March 19 to April 2. «It’s been a while since I don’t communicate with you,» wrote Nadal on social media. "[I] took my time off, started rehab, gym and physiotherapy as instructed by the doctors.

Getting ready to come back the in the best conditions. «I am sad that I won’t be able to compete at Indian Wells nor Miami. 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 is level with Novak Djokovic on 22 Grand Slams, following the Serbian’s triumph in Melbourne, and is looking to win a record-extending 15th French Open title. At the end of January, Nadal revealed his leg injury was expected to take up to one-and-a-half months to recover from. Exclusive: Becker wowed by ‘simply incredible’ Murray after final run Djokovic avoids big scare to beat Machac in Dubai in first appearance since Australian Open Nadal is level with Novak Djokovic on 22 Grand Slams, following the Serbian’s triumph in Melbourne, and is looking to win a record-extending 15th French Open title.