In an unfortunate turn of events for tennis fans, Rafael Nadal has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha. The 37-year-old Spanish tennis legend is still dealing with a micro tear in his surgically repaired hip, which he sustained back in January during the Australian Open. However, fans need not lose hope as Nadal plans to return to the court next month.
Despite his recent injury setback, Nadal remains determined to make a strong comeback. Currently, he is slated to play an exhibition match on March 3 in Las Vegas against fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. Following that, he will be participating in the Indian Wells tournament from March 3-17.
Nadal's absence from competitive play has been keenly felt, with his last match being in January at the Brisbane International, where he bowed out in the quarterfinals against Jordan Thompson. Tennis enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting his return, as his presence on the court has always added an exciting and competitive edge to the game.
John McEnroe, a former tennis player and current commentator, expressed his optimism about Nadal's return, stating, 'We're all obviously hopeful that he can [return] because Rafa's been amazing for the game, obviously, so we'd like to see him as long as we can.'
During his recovery and training period, Nadal has been working at the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar with his team. He recently shared a video on social media showing himself swimming effortlessly, showcasing his impressive lung capacity. The caption accompanying the video read, 'Watch out, Michael Phelps! Rafael Nadal shows off his swimming skills.'
In addition to his swimming prowess, Nadal has also been diligently working on his tennis game. He posted photos and videos of himself on the court, proudly announcing, 'After being absent for a while, here we are. Back to training... with more intensity.'
As one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Nadal's absence from the court has left a void in the sport. With an impressive career tally of 22 major titles, he is just two titles shy of his longtime rival, Novak Djokovic. Djokovic himself is expected to compete in Indian Wells this year after missing out in 2019 due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Furthermore, Nadal's career earnings of $134,640,719 make him the second-highest earning tennis player, trailing only Djokovic.
While his absence from the Qatar ExxonMobil Open is undoubtedly disappointing for fans, Nadal's focus on recovery and his planned return to the court next month are encouraging signs. Tennis enthusiasts and fans around the world eagerly await his comeback, hoping to witness the thrilling and awe-inspiring performances that have defined Nadal's tennis career.
