Rafael Nadal was forced to postpone his plans to play again at the Qatar Open the following week on Wednesday after he acknowledged he was “not ready to compete.”
Rafael Nadal, the 37-year-old had a hip injury at the Australian Open that kept him out of action for the majority of last year. He returned at the Brisbane International last month.
But then the 37-year-old had to withdraw from the opening Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne due to a minor muscle strain.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion now aims to make a comeback to the circuit at the Indian Wells Masters, which takes place in California from March 6–17.
Would have cherished to perform in Doha.
“I would have loved to play in Doha, where the tournament team, as well as the amazing Qatar fans have always supported me greatly,” Nadal said in a statement regarding X.
Sadly, I am not prepared to participate and I will not be able to travel to Doha, where I had hoped to play again.
“I’ll concentrate on working hard to get ready for the incredible Indian Wells competition.”
Last month, Nadal’s name appeared on the registration list for the 2014 Qatar Open, which is scheduled for February 19–24.
The former world number one, whose ranking has dropped to 646, said earlier on Wednesday that he has been experiencing “some discomfort these past few weeks and I’m a bit on the limit.”
“At this point every blow I take, every injury, is a setback not only in tennis and physically, but also mentally,” he stated to La Sexta television.
“I am 100% confident that I will be in Indian Wells; it’s a very special tournament for me,” he continued. I would definitely like to play in Indian Wells; I’m not sure if it will be my final time there.
The Spaniard has dominated the clay court season throughout his career, and Nadal reaffirmed that his “main goal is to try to get to the clay season as healthy as possible, to at least give me the chance to enjoy this part of the season.”
Roland Garros dominance
In addition to his incredible 112-3 win-loss record at Roland Garros, he has won a record 14 French Open titles.
After a year off, Rafael Nadal won two sets in Brisbane in January, but after a quarterfinal defeat to Jordan Thompson, he had pain in his upper left thigh.
In the meantime, Nadal justified his choice to serve as the Saudi Tennis Federation’s ambassador, saying the Gulf state is “a country with great potential.”
“I don’t think Saudi Arabia needs me to wash any image; it’s a country that has opened up to the world and is a country with great potential,” Nadal remarked in response to allegations that the Saudis engage in “sports washing,” or lavish spending on sports to obscure their dubious human rights record.
“I was aware of what would happen and that there would be some controversy when I signed the deal. My plans for Saudi Arabia are consistent with my entire life’s work.
“I firmly think that athletics and education have the power to transform challenging circumstances into opportunities.”
In addition, Nadal stated, “I’m not going to go to work in a way that I don’t feel comfortable with,” adding that his contract included leave provisions.