Picture Credit: X
22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal on Thursday, February 15, pulled out of the Qatar Open. The 37-year-old, who was set to return at the ATP 250 tournament in Doha, took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm the delay of his return to competitive tennis.
Taking to X, the Spaniard wrote, “I would love to play in Doha, where the tournament team, as well as the amazing Qatar fans have always supported me greatly. Unfortunately I am not ready to compete and I won’t be able to come to Doha where I really wanted to be and play again after that unforgettable win in 2014.”
The 37-year-old further added that he will eye for a return in the exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas and the Indian Wells. “I will focus on keep working to be ready for the exhibition in La Vegas and the amazing Indian Wells tournament.” he further added in his post on X.
Speaking of Nadal, the Spaniard returned after a year-long hiatus in December 2023. He played three matches at the Brisbane International in Australia, but an injury forced him to pull out of the Australian Open 2024.
“Hi all, during my last match in Brisbane I had a small problem on a muscle that as you know made me worried. Once I got to Melbourne I have the chance to make an MRI and I have micro tear on a muscle, not in the same part where I had the injury and that’s good news. Right now I am not ready to compete at the maximum level of exigence in 5 sets matches. I’m flying back to Spain to see my doctor, get some treatment and rest,” he had captioned the post on X confirming his withdrawal from the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open 2024.
