Rafael Nadal’s hip injury has continued to rule him out of the clay court season as he withdraws from the Mutua Madrid Open.
The Mutua Madrid Open starts on the 24th of April but will take place without Spain’s greatest ever tennis player.
That’s because Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the tournament due to a hip injury.
The Spaniard suffered the injury at the Australian Open and hasn’t played a tennis match since.
There was hope for the 22-time Grand Slam champion that he would return in Barcelona or Madrid as he looked to gain key match practice ahead of Roland Garros.
However that will not be the case with Nadal announcing his withdrawal from the upcoming tournament in the Spanish capital.
In a long statement Nadal revealed that he needs another treatment and is looking to improve his physical state, “As you know I suffered a major injury in Australia, in the Psoas. Initially it had to be a six-to-eight week recovery period and we’re on to number 14. The reality is that the situation is not what we had hoped for,” Nadal was quoted by tennis majors as saying.
“All medical directions have been followed, but somehow the evolution has not been what we were initially told and we find ourselves in a situation that is difficult. The weeks are passing and I had the illusion of being able to play in tournaments that are the most important in my career such as Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Roland-Garros and at the moment I missed Monte-Carlo and Barcelona. (I also) won’t be able to be in Madrid unfortunately.
“The injury is still unhealed and I can’t work what I need to in order to compete. I was training, but now a few days ago, we decided to change course a bit, do another treatment and see if things improve to try and get to what comes. I can’t give deadlines because if I knew I would tell you all but I don’t know. This is the current situation.
“I also want to send a special greeting to all the fans of Madrid and Spanish because I will have missed the two tournaments that are played here at home. All I have left is to try to keep the right attitude all this time, try to give myself a chance to compete in some of the tournaments left of the clay season and I have no choice but to work and be with the right mindset. A very strong hug to everyone and as soon as I have news I will inform you.”
Nadal, who is a five-time champion in Madrid, will now be hoping his new treatment will be effective as he looks to gain match practice in Rome before the second Grand Slam of the season starts.
Roland Garros will take place on the 29th of May with Nadal looking to defend the title after beating Casper Ruud in last year’s final.
