Rafael Nadal’s long-awaited return to action continues as he has withdrawn from the Monte Carlo Masters with the all-important French Open on the horizon.
The Spaniard has not played since a hip injury contributed to a straight sets defeat in the second round of the Australian Open. Consequently he was forced to miss the Indian Wells and Miami events and many suspected the 36-year-old would be back in time for the start of the clay court season - his most successful portion of the year.
But the 22-time Grand Slam champion has taken to Twitter this morning to let fans know they will have to wait a little longer to see him grace the court once again. “Hi everyone, I'm still not ready to compete at the highest level,” Nadal tweeted.
“I will not be able to play in one of the most important tournaments of my career, Monte Carlo. I am not yet in a position to play with the maximum guarantees and I continue my preparation process, hoping to return soon.”
Tournament organisers believed the 11-time Monte Carlo champion would be present when the event begins on April 8, as they tweeted last week that Nadal was "definitely able to win his 12th trophy in Monte Carlo despite his last injury". However, the Spanish Matador dismissed claims that the first tournament of the clay-court season would mark his comeback, which has since been confirmed today.
“I don't know who gets this information,” he said, as reported by Marca. “Obviously, if it were true, I would confirm it, but unfortunately, I can't. I'm following my course and I don't know when I'll play again, that's the truth.
“I'm in a phase of increasing work. If I knew when I was going to return, I would say so, but I don't know. I can't confirm that I will play in Monte Carlo, things are seen day by day. I prefer to say things when I really know them.”
The Spaniard hopes to be ready for Roland-Garros at the end of May, the next Grand Slam event of the year, where he has won a record 14 titles and will bid to match Serena Williams’ major haul of 23.
Elsewhere, one of Nadal’s compatriots and former French Open winner Garbine Muguruza has announced she will take an extended break from tennis. The former world number one has only played four times this year and has not played since January.
Now ranked 132nd in the world, the 29-year-old said on Instagram: “Spending time with family and friends and it's really been healthy and amazing, so I am going to lengthen this period till summer. Therefore I am going to miss the clay and grass court season. Thanks for all the lovely messages and I will be updating you guys."
