Will Rafael Nadal play again? Bombshell withdrawal at Indian Wells halts latest comeback from injury
- On the eve of opening round, two months after his last official match, Spanish icon says he is not ready for the demands of tournament tennis
- Withdrawal will stoke speculation about his retirement date, though Nadal had in January declined to confirm 2024 will be his last season
Rafael Nadal abandoned his planned ATP Tour comeback at the Indian Wells Masters, saying he was not ready for the demands of tournament tennis on the eve of his opening match in California.
The Spanish icon’s bombshell decision came four days after the 37-year-old lost a Las Vegas exhibition to compatriot and world No 2 Carlos Alcaraz.
Nadal missed almost all of the 2023 season with abdominal and other injuries and has played only at the Brisbane International this season, where he suffered a flare-up of a hip injury.
The 22-time grand slam champion had been due to open at Indian Wells on Thursday against Canada’s former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic.
“It is with great sadness that I have to withdraw from this amazing tournament at Indian Wells,” Nadal said in a statement on Wednesday, local time.
“I have been working hard … but I don’t find myself ready to play at the highest level at such an important event.
