Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, has announced his withdrawal from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, just a day before his scheduled first official match in two months. Nadal shared the news on social media, expressing his disappointment at having to pull out of the tournament.
The Spanish tennis star, aged 37, faced a challenging season last year due to a hip injury that required surgery. After a brief return to the court in early January, Nadal suffered a muscle tear near his hip, leading him to miss the Australian Open and remain off the tour since then.
Despite his setbacks, Nadal had been diligently preparing for his comeback at the BNP Paribas Open, arriving early at the venue to gear up for what he had hinted might be his final year as a professional player. Prior to the tournament, he participated in an exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas, showcasing his determination to return to competitive tennis.
Nadal was set to face Milos Raonic in the first round of the tournament, but his withdrawal has left fans eagerly awaiting his next appearance on the court. The tennis world will now have to wait for updates on when Nadal will make his competitive return.
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