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Mar 6, 2024, 09: 31 PM ET
Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open on the eve of his first-round match at Indian Wells, asserting in a social media submit that he doesn’t in discovering himself “ready to play on the most life like stage at this form of critical occasion.”
“All people is aware of how much I cherish this location and the procedure much I select to play right here,” Nadal wrote on X on Wednesday night. “That’s also one of the critical causes why I came very early to the desolate tract to apply and are attempting and earn ready.”
It is far with monumental sadness that I must withdraw from this fantastic occasion at Indian Wells.
All people is aware of how much I cherish this location and the procedure much I select to play right here. That’s also one of the critical causes why I came very early to the desolate tract to apply and are attempting and earn ready. pic.twitter.com/gmvs5kfGO2— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) March 7, 2024
The 22-time Huge Slam winner, who has played correct 12 respectable fits for the explanation that 2022 US Open, turn into once coming off an exhibition loss to fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in The Netflix Slam on Sunday. He overlooked the huge majority of last season due to the a hip hurt that required surgical treatment, then rapid returned to action for 3 fits in early January sooner than tearing a muscle shut to the hip. That compelled him to circumvent the Australian Open — and he has no longer been on tour since.
“I comprise been working intriguing and practicing and you all know I took a take a look at this weekend nevertheless I don’t in discovering myself ready to play on the most life like stage at this form of critical occasion,” Nadal’s submit persevered. “It is no longer a in reality easy resolution, it is a intriguing one as a matter of truth nevertheless I will not lie to myself and lie to the hundreds of fans. I’ll miss you all and I’m decided the occasion will possible be a monumental success.”
Nadal, 37, had come to the California desolate tract smartly sooner than the intriguing-court docket occasion, sooner than touring to Las Vegas to face Alcaraz in front of a sellout crowd of 9,489.
“We’re dissatisfied that Rafa is unable to play in the BNP Paribas Open, nevertheless we desire him persevered healing and hope he is also again in action yet again soon,” occasion director Tommy Haas acknowledged in a assertion. “He’s one of the critical all-time fan favorites right here, and we hope to see him again in Indian Wells yet again in the longer term.”
Nadal turn into once replaced in the plan by lucky loser Sumit Nagal, who will face 2016 Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic on Thursday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this file.
