World number two Rafael Nadal has had to withdraw from the ‘Sunshine Double’ as his recovery from his knee injury continues.
The 16 time grand slam champion was due to return in Acapulco last week before he felt more sharp pains in the same knee that he injured at the Australian Open.
The Spaniard has now revealed that he will not be playing in either Indian Wells or Miami as he looks to recover from the painful injury. Nadal reached the fourth round in Indian Wells and the final in Miami, where he lost to current world number one Roger Federer on both occasions. Here is his statement below:
Analysis
The withdrawal is obviously a blow for Rafa in his bid to compete at the highest level however the Spaniard now has to accept that his body isn’t up to the challenge of producing two consistently impressive seasons. He will need to time his rest and this withdrawal is a smart move if he wants to successfully defend his Roland Garros title in May. The sport needs Nadal at his best and the clay court season is where we see the Spaniard at his pure best and is quite simply the best sight in all of sport.
Rafael Nadal will head to the Monte-Carlo Country Club in April, where he is defending champion.
