Barcelona: Rafael Nadal’s hopes of returning to Roland Garros to compete in his 15th French Open took a major blow on Thursday when the 37-year-old Spaniard was forced to withdraw from the Monte Carlo Masters.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner is expected to return to the ATP Tour in January, after not playing since Brisbane.
“Unfortunately, I have to say that I should not play in Monte Carlo. My body will not let me,” said the war-weary Spaniard on social media.
The 11-time Monte Carlo winner missed almost the entire 2023 season through injury and only played at the Brisbane International this season, losing in the quarter-finals to Jordan Thompson.
This led to his withdrawal from the Australian Open, Doha, and Indian Wells, where he was aiming to return for the first time.
His one appearance since Brisbane came in March in an exhibition match with Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas, where observers noted some discomfort in his backside, but nothing obvious.
