Tennis

Rafael Nadal pulls out from Monte Carlo Masters, may return in French Open

Nadal's return after an 11-month sabbatical has not gone according to plan, and missing the start of the clay season is another blow he will have to overcome if he is to prove he is still one of the greatest tennis players in the game.

Payal DebnathApril 5, 2024 at 11:04 AM • 2 min read
Rafael Nadal pulls out from Monte Carlo Masters, may return in French Open
Nadal's return after an 11-month sabbatical has not gone according to plan, and missing the start of the clay season is another blow he will have to overcome if he is to prove he is still one of the greatest tennis players in the game.

Rafael Nadal on Thursday has confirmed on social media that he will not play in the Monte Carlo Masters event.  

Also Read: India's Anirudh Chandrasekar and Vijay Prashanth make place in the quarterfinals of US Men's Clay Court Championship

The former world number one has not participated in an ATP Tour tournament since returning to the court in Brisbane in January. Nadal returned with a lot of promise earlier this year and his performances in Australia raised questions about whether the 37-year-old could compete for the trophy.   

Injuries could be a concern for Nadal

Injuries remain a matter of serious concern for Rafael Nadal. After withdrawing from the Australian Open, Qatar Open and Indian Wells, the 22-time Grand Slam champion has now confirmed that he will be unable to compete at the Monte Carlo Masters next week. Nadal's return after an 11-month sabbatical has not gone according to plan, and missing the start of the clay season is another blow he will have to overcome if he is to prove he is still one of the greatest players in the game. 

Nadal Got injured in Australian Open

Rafael Nadal suffered a hip injury in last year's Australian Open, which forced him to sit out the rest of the season. He returned this year at the Brisbane International, but lost to Jordan Thompson in the quarterfinals. Nadal has not played any tour-level matches since then. However, he did compete against Carlos Alcaraz in an exhibition bout in Las Vegas last month. Former world No. 1 has fallen to 649th in the current ATP rankings. 

Also Read: The Era of the Big Four: Tracing the Dominance and Twilight of Tennis Titans

Nadal has six weeks to get himself fit for French Open

The recurring setbacks will be a major hurdle in Rafael Nadal's season plans, putting his goal of winning the French Open, which he has won 14 times, in jeopardy. He has six weeks to get himself in peak condition for the Grand Slam, and a great performance could allow him to compete at the Paris Olympics 2024 at Roland Garros.  

Tags:

Rafael NadalGrand SlamAustralian OpenFrench OpenAtp Tour

Payal Debnath

Payal Debnath is a content writer with a deep passion for cricket. With years of experience covering sports content, she brings a unique perspective to every piece, from player analyses to match previews and game recaps. A lifelong fan of MS Dhoni, she draws inspiration from Dhoni's calm under pressure, leadership skills, and unmatched finishing ability. Combining a love for the game with a decent writing style, she delivers captivating content that keeps fans informed and engaged.

View Profile