We sensed it. It is now official: Rafael Nadal will not be on the courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club this year. The Spaniard announced on his Twitter account that he is ignoring, considering himself still insufficiently ready to compete in this Masters 1000 that he loves so much with 11 victories, and which traditionally kicks off the European season. of beaten earth.
“Hi everyone, I’m still not ready to compete at the highest level,” says the 36-year-old Mallorcan. I will not be able to play in one of the most important tournaments of my career, Monte Carlo. I am not yet able to play with the maximum guarantees and I continue my preparation hoping to return soon”.
Victim of a hip injury, “Rafa” had left the Australian Open in January in the second round, beaten by the American Mackenzie McDonald in three sets (6-4, 6-4, 7-5). An absence of six to eight weeks was then confirmed at the end of January, depriving him of the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments. Two weeks ago, the man with 22 Grand Slams was out of the Top 10 in the ATP rankings when he had been part of it continuously since 2005. He is now in 14th place.
If he recovers, his return could now take place from April 17-23, at the ATP 500 in Barcelona. In the meantime, the new n°1, the Serbian Novak Djokovic, is deprived of his historical opponent but also of his current rival since Carlos Alcaraz has also announced his withdrawal for the meeting on clay. “I have post-traumatic arthritis in my left hand and muscle discomfort in my spine that requires rest to face whatever is coming,” he said in a statement.