Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the upcoming Monte Carlo Masters due to injury.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion was out for almost all of 2023 and saw his return in January this year last just three matches.
The 37-year-old withdrew from the Australian Open after suffering a muscle injury before withdrawing from Indian Wells and now Monte Carlo, a tournament he has won 11 times previously.
This latest setback comes barely six weeks before Roland-Garros. Nadal is a record 14-time champion at Roland Garros.
“These are very difficult times for me, on a sporting level,” Nadal wrote on social networks. “Unfortunately, I have to tell you that I will not play in Monte-Carlo. My body just won’t let me.
Hi everyone, these are very difficult times for me, on a sporting level. Unfortunately, I have to tell you that I will not play in Monte-Carlo. My body just won’t let me. pic.twitter.com/BEi0UUe1au
– Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) April 4, 2024
“Even though I work hard and give the maximum effort every day with all the desire to play and compete again in tournaments that have been very important for me, the truth is that I cannot play today.
“You have no idea how difficult it is for me not to be able to participate in these events.
“The only thing I can do is accept the situation and try to look towards the immediate future while keeping the enthusiasm and the will to play in order to give myself a chance for things to improve.”
The French Open begins in Paris on May 20.
Nadal missed last year’s tournament with abdominal and leg injuries, the first time he had not played since 2004.
He owns a 112-3 all-time record at the second Grand Slam of the year and last won the title in 2022.
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(Chris Hyde/Getty Images)