The 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has announced his withdrawal from the French Open 2023 during a news conference at his tennis academy in Manacor, Spain on Thursday.
Hip injury rules Nadal out of French Open
It will be for the first time in 19 years that the 36-year-old Nadal will miss the French Open. The lingering hip injury has kept the record 14-time men's singles champion on sidelines of tennis court since January.
Nadal's bombshell admission
While announcing his withdrawal from the imminent Roland Garros, Nadal said that he didn't make the decision rather his body did.
"I didn't make the decision, my body made the decision. To play Roland Garros is impossible. Next year will be my last year on tour - that is my idea. If I keep going now I won't be able to make that happen," Nadal said.
Nadal hasn't played since picking up the hip injury during Australia Open earlier in January this year. However, he kept on practicing in the recent weeks despite the injury in a bid to participate in the all-important French Open but couldn't attain the optimum fitness. Notably French Open is slated to kick off from May 28.
"I was working as much as possible every single day for the past four months and they have been difficult because I've not been not able to find a solution to the problem I had in Australia," Nadal said.
"I'm not in the position to be able to compete to be at the standard to play Roland Garros. I'm not a guy who will just be at Roland Garros," he added.
The former world No.1 also said that he needs to stop playing for the time being in order to make a full recovery.
"I will stop for a while, maybe one month, maybe three months or maybe four months. I do not like to predict the future. I will do the right thing for my body and personal happiness. My motivation is to enjoy the season and say goodbye to all the tournaments I have enjoyed in my career. If I keep going now I will not be able to make that happen,” Nadal concluded.
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