Rafael Nadal won't be competing at the 2023 Dubai Championships, as he withdrew due to an injury.
This news comes as no surprise to the tennis community as Nadal had already announced his absence from the ATP circuit for the next 6 to 8 weeks after the Australian Open. It is important for the 22-time Grand Slam champion to prioritize his health and recovery, especially if he wants to continue competing at the highest level at the upcoming Roland Garros, where he will want to win his 15th title.
Previously, the Spaniard triumphed once in Dubai, when he defeated Roger Federer in the final of the 2006 event. In 2023, he will miss it, but he's not the only player withdrawing, as Marin Cilic also announced that he will skip the event, as he recently underwent surgery.
Nadal's absence from the Dubai Championships means that other players will have a chance to shine. The tournament features some of the best players in the world, including Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, and Alexander Zverev, who are all on the entry list. With Nadal out, the tournament becomes even more open, and any of these players could emerge as the champion.
Nadal will be absent also from the 2023 Qatar Open in Doha, as he's most likely to appear at the Indian Wells, which is set to begin on March 8th.
When providing an injury update a couple of weeks ago, the Spaniard said:
"Today I have been at the Tecknon Tennis Clinic in Barcelona where they have carried out some tests on me. The Melbourne results are confirmed and the deadlines remain the same. Established the treatments to follow and in 3 weeks they will perform new tests to see the evolution."
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