Rafael Nadal was forced to withdraw from yet another ATP event, this time the 2023 Madrid Open.
After picking up an injury earlier this year, the recovery is not going as planned for the 22-time Grand Slam champion. Shortly after the evaluation of his injury in January, it was revealed that Nadal will miss six to eight weeks of competition. However, it's been 14 weeks now and the Spaniard is still not ready to return to the competition.
This time, he was forced to withdraw from the 2023 Madrid Open, a tournament that he won five times in the past. In recent weeks, fans but also fellow pros started to be worried about Nadal and so now the Spaniard posted a long update on his social media accounts.
"Hello everyone. I haven't communicated with you guys directly in a while. It’s been a rough few weeks and months. As you know I suffered a major injury in Australia, in the Psoas. Initially it had to be a six to eight week recovery period and we're on to number fourteen."
Nadal wasn't shy to admit that things are not going as he expected. The 14-time Roland Garros champion admitted that the recovery is taking longer than expected and that he didn't want to skip the tournament that he was already forced to skip.
"The reality is that the situation is not what we had hoped for. All medical directions have been followed, but somehow evolution has not been what we were initially told and we find ourselves in a situation that is difficult. The weeks are passing and I had the illusion of being able to play in tournaments that are the most important in my career such as Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Roma, Roland Garros and at the moment I missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona."
Nadal also announced his withdrawal from the 2023 Madrid Open and what's even worse, he couldn't delight fans by stating when he will return, as he doesn't know.
I won't be able to be in Madrid unfortunately. The injury is still unhealed and I can't work what I need to to compete. I was training, but now a few days ago we decided to change course a bit, do another treatment and see if things improve to try and get to what comes. I can’t give deadlines because if I knew I would tell you but I don't know."
"This is the current situation. I also want to send a special greeting to all the fans of Madrid and Spanish because I will have missed the two tournaments that are played here at home. All I have left is to try to keep the right attitude all this time, try to give myself a chance to compete in some of the tournaments left of the dirt season and I have no choice but to work and be with the right mindset. A very strong hug to everyone and as soon as I have news I will inform you. Thank you!"
0 Comments