My recovery has not gone to plan – Rafael Nadal opts out of Madrid Open

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the upcoming Madrid Open as he continues his recovery from the hip injury, which he suffered in the second round of the Australian Open while playing against America’s Mackenzie Mcdonald.

Nadal confirmed that his recovery hasn’t gone according to plan and he has no idea about his return to the tour. The Spaniard was expected to recover from the injury in six to eight weeks’ time but he has been now out of action for 14 weeks.

This also puts Nadal’s participation in the French Open in jeopardy as he is in a race against time to get fit for the second slam of the year, which begins on 28th May.

Meanwhile, Nadal has won Madrid Open on five occasions. The hip injury has kept the veteran out of Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and now Madrid. Thus, he dropped out of the top 10 ATP Pepperstone Rankings for the first time in 18 years. He is currently in 14th position in the latest rankings.

“[This injury] was supposed to keep me out six to eight weeks, but I have been out 14,” Nadal said in Spanish in a message on Instagram on Thursday. “We have followed all the medical advice, but my recovery has not gone as they said it would, and now we find ourselves in a difficult situation.”

“The injury still hasn’t healed, and I can’t work out what I need to compete,” Nadal said. “I was training, but a few days ago we decided to change course a bit, do another treatment and see if things improve to try to get to what comes next.

“I can’t give deadlines because if I knew I would tell you but I don’t know. This is how things are now.”

Madrid Open will begin on Monday.