Rafael Nadal has pulled out of Indian Wells 24 hours earlier than his first-round match with Milos Raonic on Friday.
Nadal, 37, made his long-awaited return at January’s Brisbane Worldwide, after nearly a 12 months out with harm.
Nevertheless, the Spaniard sustained a hip harm on the event which dominated him out of the Australian Open.
Nadal performed an exhibition match towards Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday, however stated he’s not but prepared “to play on the highest degree”.
“It’s with nice unhappiness that I’ve to withdraw from this superb event,” the 22-time Grand Slam winner wrote on Instagram.
“Everybody is aware of how a lot I like this place and the way a lot I like to play right here at Indian Wells. That is additionally one of many explanation why I got here very early to the desert to follow and attempt to prepare.”
In Might, after being pressured to overlook the French Open for the primary time in 19 years, Nadal stated 2024 would “most likely” be the ultimate 12 months of his profession.
Final month, the previous world primary stated he was uncertain of what number of tournaments he would have the ability to compete in earlier than retiring, however added that it was “not going to be many”.
“I’ve been working exhausting and training and also you all know I took a check this weekend however I do not discover myself able to play on the highest degree at such an essential occasion,” Nadal, a three-time winner at Indian Wells, stated on Thursday.
“It isn’t a simple choice, it is a robust one as a matter of truth however I can not deceive myself and deceive the 1000’s of followers. I’ll miss you all and I’m positive the event can be a fantastic success.”
Nadal’s subsequent event is more likely to be on his favoured clay floor at subsequent month’s Monte Carlo Masters, the place he’s an 11-time champion.
