Rafael Nadal on Thursday announced that he would be unable to compete at the Madrid Masters after failing to recover from a hip injury.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t played since his second-round exit at the 2023 Australian Open in January. Nadal had skipped the Monte Carlo Masters last week and his latest withdrawal from Madrid raises more questions over whether the Spaniard would be able to defend his French Open crown.
Hola a todos. Hace un tiempo que no me comunico directamente con vosotros. Han sido unas semanas y unos meses difíciles. Como sabéis me hice una una lesión importante en Australia, en el Psoas. pic.twitter.com/m0TbsGFn5t
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) April 20, 2023
Hello everyone. It’s been a while since I communicated directly with you. It has been a difficult few weeks and months. As you know I suffered a major injury in Australia, at the Psoas.
Initially it had to be a six to eight week recovery period and we are now on fourteen. The reality is that the situation is not what we would have expected. All medical indications have been followed, but the evolution has not been what they initially told us. We find ourselves in a difficult situation.
The weeks are passing and I had the illusion of being able to play in tournaments that are the most important in my career such as Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros and for the moment I have missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona.
I will not be able to be in Madrid unfortunately. The injury still hasn’t healed and I can’t work out what I need to to compete. I was training, but now a few days ago we decided to change course a bit, do another treatment and see if things improve to try to get to what comes next. I can’t give deadlines because if I knew I would tell you but I don’t know. This is how things are now.
I also want to send a special greeting to all the Madrid and Spanish public because I will have missed the two tournaments that are played here at home. You all know what it means for me to play these tournaments and specifically Madrid that I will not be able to play it with everything it has given me.
I have no choice but to try to have the right attitude throughout this time, try to give myself the opportunity to compete in one of the tournaments that remains of the clay season and I have no choice but to work and be with the right mentality.
A very strong hug to all and as soon as I have news, I will inform you. Thank you!
