By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open saying he's "not ready to play at the highest level."
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty
Rafael Nadal's Indian Wells comeback is over before it began.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open.
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Nadal, who was scheduled to face Milos Raonic on Thursday night, said he's "not ready to play at the highest level."
"It is with great sadness that I have to withdraw from this amazing tournament at Indian Wells. Everyone knows how much I love this place and how much I love to play here. That’s also one of the reasons why I came very early to the desert to practice and try to get ready.
"I have been working hard and practicing and you all know I took a test this weekend but I don’t find myself ready to play at the highest level at such an important event."
Three-time Indian Wells champion Nadal faced reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in the Netflix Slam exhibition event in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Though Nadal hit his share of spectacular shots, his movement seemed to be compromised.
The 37-year-old Spanish superstar's withdrawal raises the question: Could Nadal have played his last match on North American soil?
Nadal, who is not on the entry list for this month's Miami Open, has said 2024 will likely be his farewell season unless his health improves.
The two-time Olympic gold-medal champion impressed in his Brisbane comeback in January until suffering a muscle tear in his hip.
In just his third match back from June hip surgery, Nadal left the court for treatment of his hip returning to complete a 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-3 loss to inspired Aussie Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International.
Afterward, Nadal shared he suffered a microtear in his muscle that forced him to withdraw from the Australian Open.
“I have worked very hard during the year for this comeback and as I always mentioned my goal is to be at my best level in 3 months," Nadal said in announcing his AO exit. "Within the sad news for me for not being able to play in front of the amazing Melbourne crowds, this is not very bad news and we all remain positive with the evolution for the season.
"I really wanted to play here in Australia and I have had the chance to play a few matches that made me very happy and positive.”
Now, Nadal will rest and recover ahead of approaching clay-court season.