After recent speculation in the Spanish media, Rafael Nadal has confirmed his withdrawal from next week’s Barcelona Open as he continues his recovery from injury.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been absent from the Tour since his second round loss at the Australian Open due to a hip injury. Shortly after the Grand Slam, Nadal wrote on social media that he had been diagnosed with a grade 2 tear in his iliacus psoas. According to National Center for Biotechnology Information, the iliacus muscle stabilizes the pelvis and allows correct hip flexion. At the time of the announcement the Spaniard estimated that it would take him eight weeks to recover but it is taking more time than expected.
“Barcelona is a tournament that is special to me,” Nadal said in a statement. “I’m still not ready and, therefore, I continue my preparation process for the return to competition.”
Nadal has won the Barcelona Open a record 12 times and has a win-loss record of 64-4 at the tournament. In 2017 the centre court of the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona was renamed Pista Rafa Nadal in his honour.
“Good luck to my friend David Ferrer (Barcelona Open tournament director) and his whole team for this edition of the Godo that will surely be a success as always on all levels,” Nadal commented.
It is the second year in a row that he has missed the ATP 500 event. In 2022 he was forced to pull out due to a rib injury.
The 36-year-old faces a race against time to be fit for the French Open where he will be aiming to win his 15th Roland Garros trophy. It is still unclear when he will begin his comeback but the next major tournament coming up is the Madrid Masters which will get underway during the last week of April.
Nadal is currently ranked 15th in the world.
