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IMAGE: Rafael Nadal has mentioned he expects to retire after the 2024 season. {Photograph}: Miquel Borras/Reuters
Rafael Nadal withdrew from Indian Wells on Wednesday on the eve of his first-round match, saying he isn’t “able to play on the highest degree”.
The 37-year-old Spaniard, who has mentioned he expects to retire after the 2024 season, returned to competitors in Brisbane in January after nearly a yr sidelined with a hip flexor harm, however needed to miss the Australian Open with one other muscle tear.
He misplaced to Carlos Alcaraz in an exhibition occasion in Las Vegas on Sunday and appeared able to compete for a fourth title within the California desert.
“It’s with nice unhappiness that I’ve to withdraw from this superb event,” the 22-times Grand Slam champion mentioned in a press release.
“Everybody is aware of how a lot I like this place and the way a lot I like to play right here at Indian Wells.
“That’s additionally one of many the reason why I got here very early to the desert to apply and attempt to prepare.
“I’ve been working laborious and training and also you all know I took a check this weekend however I don’t discover myself able to play on the highest degree at such an essential occasion.
“It’s not a simple choice, it’s a troublesome one as a matter of reality however I can’t mislead myself and mislead the hundreds of followers. I’ll miss you all and I’m positive the event will probably be a terrific success.”
Event director Tommy Haas mentioned they had been disillusioned to lose Nadal, who will probably be changed by fortunate loser Sumit Nagal.
“He is among the all-time fan favourites right here, and we hope to see him again in Indian Wells once more sooner or later,” added Haas.
Nadal’s consultant Benito Perez-Barbadillo mentioned there was no contemporary harm and that the Miami Open, one other hardcourt occasion that follows Indian Wells, was by no means on his schedule.
Nadal will now flip his consideration to his favorite floor clay with a watch towards a record-extending fifteenth French Open title and a second Olympic gold medal on the Paris Video games, the place tennis will probably be contested at Roland Garros.
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