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Rafael Nadal on February 14 was forced to shelve his plans to return to action at next week's Qatar Open, admitting he is ‘not ready to compete’.
The 37-year-old missed most of last year with a hip injury he sustained during the Australian Open in 2023. He made his comeback during the Brisbane International held last month. However, a small muscle tear forced the Spanish Tennis star to pull out of this season's first Grand Slam in Melbourne.
The 22-time Grand Slam title winner now hopes to return to the tour at the Indian Wells Masters in California from March 6-17.
Nadal talks about missing the Qatar open
"I would have loved to play in Doha, where the tournament team, as well as the amazing Qatar fans have always supported me greatly," Nadal said in a statement on X (previously known as Twitter).
"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.
“I will focus on keep working to be ready for the amazing Indian Wells tournament.”
Nadal was named on the entry list last month for the Qatar Open, which will be taking place between February 19-24, and where he was champion in 2014.
On February 14, Nadal stated that he had been suffering from 'some discomfort' these past few weeks and that he's a bit on the limit.
"At this point every blow I take, every injury, is a setback not only in tennis and physically, but also mentally," he told La Sexta television.
He added: "I am 100% confident of being in Indian Wells, it's a very special tournament for me. I don't know if it's going to be the last time I play in it, so I would like to be in Indian Wells, for sure."
Nadal talks about working as an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation
Nadal also defended working as an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation, claiming it's a country with great potential.
"I don't think Saudi Arabia needs me to wash any image; it's a country that has opened up to the world and is a country with great potential," said Nadal in response to claims that the Saudis use massive investment in sport to soften its controversial human rights record, a practice known as "sports washing".
"When I signed the contract I knew what would happen and that there could be some controversy. What I am going to do in Saudi Arabia is in line with what I have done all my life.
"I am a firm believer that education and sports can change lives and complicated situations into opportunities."
"I'm not going to go to work in a way that I don't feel comfortable with," concluded Nadal who said his contract contains exit clauses.
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