Nadal pulls out of Monte-Carlo: “My body simply won’t allow me”

Rafael Nadal will not play in the Monte-Carlo Masters next week, saying his body “simply won’t allow me”.

The 37-year-old Spaniard, a record 11-time champion in Monte-Carlo, had been hoping to begin his clay-court season in the Principality, having not played since Brisbane because of an injury close to the hip, in a similar area to the psoas problem which saw him miss almost all of 2023.

But after a week of radio silence, during which time rumours abounded that he was going to pull out, he made it official in a statement on social media, with an accompanying video of him practising at home in Manacor.

Nadal said he was working hard every day but had to admit defeat when it came to Monte-Carlo.

“And even if I am working hard & making the maximum effort every day with all the will to play and compete again at tournaments that have been very important for me, the truth is that I can’t play today,” he said.

“You have no idea how hard this is for me to not be able to play these events.”

“The only thing I can do is to accept the situation and try to look at the immediate future keeping the excitement and will to play in order to give me a chance for things to get better. Thanks again to all, as always, for all the support and best wishes!”

Nadal is on the entry list for Barcelona, which begins on April 15. Madrid and Rome Masters 1000s follow in May before Roland-Garros, which starts on May 26.

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