Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Qatar Open next week after announcing he is “not ready to compete”.
The 22-time grand slam singles title winner, who missed the Australian Open with a hip injury, had been hoping to feature in the ATP 250 event in Doha. But the 37-year-old will now target the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells next month for his return to competitive action.
Nadal posted on social media: “I would have loved to play in Doha, where the tournament team, as well as the amazing Qatar fans have always supported me greatly. 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 after that unforgettable win in 2014.
I would have loved to play in Doha, where the tournament team, as well as the amazing Qatar fans have always supported me greatly. 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 after that unforgettable win… pic.twitter.com/U4GUvIITcr
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) February 14, 2024
“I will focus on keep working to be ready for the exhibition in Las Vegas and the amazing Indian Wells tournament.”
Nadal made his comeback at the Brisbane International in January after spending a year out of competitive action because of a long-term hip problem.
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The Spaniard sustained a muscle tear near his hip in his quarter-final defeat against Jordan Thompson in Brisbane, but scans revealed it was not in the same area.