2024-02-15 00:49:54
22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal is unsure whether he will be ready to return to the court in Doha next week after pulling out of the Australian Open with a muscle tear.
The Spaniard missed most of last year with a thigh injury picked up in Melbourne, but returned to action in Brisbane ahead of the Melbourne race. However, a small muscle tear forced him to withdraw from the season’s first Grand Slam tournament.
“It’s going to be very difficult for Doha. I’ve had some discomfort in the last few weeks and I’m a bit on the edge. At this moment every hit I get, every injury is a setback not only in tennis and physically but also mentally,” Nadal said in an interview for La Sexta TV, broadcast by BTA.
The Spaniard is far more optimistic about playing in Indian Wells, the first Masters 1000 of the year, which will be held from March 6 to 17 in California.
“I’m 100% confident I’ll be in Indian Wells, it’s a very special tournament for me. I don’t know if it’ll be the last time I play in it, so I’d like to be there for sure,” he added.
Nadal already last month appeared on the list of participants for the Qatar tournament, which will take place from February 19 to 24.
“I would like to be in Doha. What I know is that everything is going well at the moment. But the decision on Doha will be made at the last minute. I will travel to Indian Wells, for sure, if nothing bad happens,” he said he.
The Spaniard reiterated that “his main goal is to try to get to the clay season as healthy as possible to have a chance to enjoy this part of the season” which he has dominated in his career.
He has a record 14 Roland Garros titles and an astonishing record of 112 wins and 3 losses at the clay Grand Slam tournament in the French capital.