Rafael Nadal has revealed that he has been forced to withdraw from the Masters 1000 events at Indian Wells and Miami because of injury.
The 36-year-old Spaniard has not competed since losing in the second round of the Australian Open last month.
Nadal won at the California event – which starts next week – in 2007, 2009 and 2013, and lost in last year’s final to American Taylor Fritz.
Nadal has been mostly limited to physio and gym work in recent weeks, but was able to begin a gradual return to the court on Monday.
I am sad that I won’t be able to compete at Indian Wells nor Miami.
Very sad not to be there. I’ll miss all my US fans but I hope to see them later this year during the summer swing. pic.twitter.com/v6dsf1ayTI— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) February 28, 2023
He will also miss the Miami Open in three weeks’ time.
Nadal’s next target is likely to be the Monte Carlo Masters, where he is an 11-time champion.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion was expected to be out for six to eight weeks with a hip injury that hampered his defeat by Mackenzie McDonald.