Rafael Nadal revealed on Wednesday night that he has been forced to withdraw from the Indian Wells Masters due
to insufficient recovery time after his most recent injury setback.
After competing in the 2023 Australian Open, Nadal was sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a hip flexor
issue. He returned to action at the Brisbane International in January, but a muscle tear has kept him sidelined ever
since.
The Spaniard, 37, played an exhibition against compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas on Sunday and was supposed
to return in Indian Wells, but he has now stated that he is not currently “ready to play at the highest level”.
“It is with great sadness that I have to withdraw from this amazing tournament,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion
said in a statement. “Everyone knows how much I adore Indian Wells and how much I like playing here.
“That’s also one of the reasons I came to the desert so early to train and prepare. I’ve been working hard and
preparing, and you all know I took a test this weekend, but I don’t feel prepared to play at the greatest level at such
an important event.
“It’s not an easy decision, in truth, but I can’t lie to myself or the thousands of fans. I will miss you all, and I am
confident the event will be a huge success.”
Nadal’s withdrawal is the latest in a well-documented, two-decade-long battle with ailments that have threatened to
terminate his career prematurely.
However, while the former world number one has fought back with a warrior-like attitude in the past to restore his
place at the top of the game, frequently breaking his own pain barrier in quest of big titles, this time is different.
Nadal has admitted this himself.
The Spaniard has reluctant to say clearly that 2024 will be his final season, although he has hinted at it frequently
during the opening few weeks of the year.
“My goal is to get out of Indian Wells unscathed,” Nadal stated when he still planned to compete. “Whatever is left,
leave it in the clay season, which may or may not be the last; I have not made a final decision. At the moment, things
are going that way.
