Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Monte Carlo Masters, saying his body would not allow him to play.
Nadal posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Unfortunately, I have to tell you that I am not going to be playing in Monte Carlo. My body simply won’t allow me.”
22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal made his long-awaited return at January’s Brisbane International after a year out with injury, BBC reported.
Fans were hoping to see him back in the court in Monte Carlo after the 37-year-old player was ruled out from the Australian Open due to a hip injury earlier.
Later he also pulled out of the Qatar Open and Indian Wells.
Sharing his disappointment of his latest setback, Nadal wrote, “You have no idea how hard this is for me to not be able to play these events.”
He expressed that ‘sporting wise’, these are very difficult moments for him.
The Spaniard said, “... even if I am working hard & making the maximum effort every day with all the will to play and compete again at tournaments that have been very important for me, the truth is that I can't play today.”
Nadal added, “The only thing I can do is to accept the situation and try to look at the immediate future, keeping the excitement and will to play in order to give me a chance for things to get better."
The annual tennis tournament, Monte Carlo Masters, will start on Sunday, April 7.
