Still Injured Rafael Nadal Withdraws From Barcelona Open

Friday, 14 April 2023 at 12:01

Updated at Monday, 04 August 2025 at 20:40

byZachary Wimer

Rafael Nadal has only played a few matches this year, and he won't be back anytime soon, as he withdrew from the Barcelona Open.

Nadal opened this year with some really solid tennis Down Under, showing a decent level for somebody who hadn’t played in a while. The optimism was rather short-lived, though, as Nadal injured himself just a few matches into his comeback.

It ended up being a hip injury and quite a bit worse than initially thought because the Spaniard has yet to return to the tennis courts. There have been indications early that he might be back in time for the Sunshine Double, but that didn’t happen.

Then, there was a possibility of his return during the clay-court part of the season, but that has yet to happen, too. A return to his favored Barcelona Open event won’t happen either because Nadal has officially withdrawn from the event.

"Barcelona is a special tournament for me, because it is my adopted club and because playing at home is always a unique feeling. I am still not ready and, therefore, I continue my preparation process for the return to competition."

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The Spaniard certainly wanted to play in Barcelona, but ultimately, he just didn’t recover well enough in time. He did, however, use the opportunity to wish his good friend David Ferrer good luck as he begins his tenure as the Tournament Director of the Barcelona Open.

"Good luck to my friend David Ferrer and his entire team for this edition of Godó, which will surely be a success at all levels."

As for Nadal, the following timetable for his return should be at Roland Garros, even though the likelihood that he will return by then is fairly low, judging how the previous weeks unfolded.