Rafa Nadal withdrew from Indian Wells on the eve of his first-round match, saying he is not “ready to play at the highest level”.
The 37-year-old Spaniard, who has said he expects to retire after the 2024 season, returned to competition in Brisbane in January after almost a year sidelined with a hip flexor injury, but had to miss the Australian Open with another muscle tear.
He lost to Carlos Alcaraz in an exhibition event in Las Vegas on Sunday and appeared ready to compete for a fourth title in the California desert.
“It is with great sadness that I have to withdraw from this amazing tournament,” the 22-times Grand Slam champion said in a statement. “Everyone knows how much I love this place and how much I love to play here at Indian Wells. That’s also one of the reasons why I came very early to the desert to practice and try to get ready.
“I have been working hard and practicing and you all know I took a test this weekend but I don’t find myself ready to play at the highest level at such an important event.
“It is not an easy decision, it’s a tough one as a matter of fact but I can’t lie to myself and lie to the thousands of fans. I will miss you all and I am sure the tournament will be a great success.”
Tournament Director Tommy Haas said they were disappointed to lose Nadal, who will be replaced by lucky loser Sumit Nagal.
“He is one of the all-time fan favourites here, and we hope to see him back in Indian Wells again in the future,” added Haas.
Nadal’s representative Benito Perez-Barbadillo said there was no fresh injury and that the Miami Open, another hardcourt event that follows Indian Wells, was never on his schedule. Nadal will now turn his attention to his favourite surface clay with an eye toward a record-extending 15th French Open title and a second Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games, where tennis will be contested at Roland Garros.
Alcaraz says ankle injury is better ahead of Indian Wells title defence
Carlos Alcaraz said the ankle injury that forced him to withdraw from last month’s Rio Open was feeling better and that the only thing on his mind was defending his Indian Wells title.
The Spaniard, who trounced Daniil Medvedev in last year’s final in the California desert, had to retire after two games of his match in Rio de Janeiro after twisting his right ankle. It was the latest setback for the world number two, who has not won a title since beating Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final last July.
The 20-year-old lost in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in January and was beaten in straight sets by Nicolas Jarry in the semis of the Argentina Open last month.
He rallied to defeat Nadal in an exhibition match in Las Vegas on Sunday and while he said he has been feeling good during his practices he knew there would be a question mark about his injury.
“Probably some of the people are thinking about my ankle, let’s see if I’m going to say 100% or not, but I’m feeling better,” he told reporters. “So let’s see how the tournament is going to go but I’m here to defend, I’m not thinking of anything else.”
After a ceremony where a mural commemorating his title last year was unveiled on the grounds, the two-time Grand Slam champion said he was still adjusting to fame.
“A lot of days you wake up not in a good mood and you want to hide or not be recognised by people,” he said.
“But I’m a natural guy and I try to take it as natural as I can. The people know me, recognise me, and I think that’s good.”
The tournament’s second seed will kick off his title defence today against Matteo Arnaldi.