“Playing hurt is no fun, especially as you get older, you can even do more damage” – Jimmy Connors on Rafael Nadal’s Monte-Carlo Masters withdrawal

Legendary Jimmy Connors has shed light on Rafael Nadal’s decision to opt out of the upcoming Monte-Carlos Masters. Connors feels it is a wise decision from the veteran Spaniard to pull out as he is yet to fully attain 100% match fitness.

Connors said playing while being injured is not fun, especially as one gets older as there are more chances of aggravating the injury.

The Spaniard played a couple of matches in the Brisbane Open but suffered a muscle tear, which ruled him out of the Australian Open. The veteran was then looking to make a comeback in the Indian Wells but decided to pull out at the 11th minute as he was not ready.

Nadal has won the Monte Carlo Masters on 11 occasions.

“Playing hurt is no fun, especially as you get older. If you’re not careful, you can even do more damage. Rafa’s been around long enough, he knows himself better than anybody and nobody should make that decision but him,” Jimmy said in a recent episode of the Advantage Connors podcast.

Connors, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, highlighted the drawbacks of playing with an injury and how it is a risk not worth taking.

“There’s nothing worse than playing hurt because that takes away everything. It takes away your movement, it takes away the way you hit your shots and it takes away your attitude toward the way you wanna play. You’re always hedging, you’re not fully confident in your health and your movement.”

American tennis legend added that Nadal has achieved everything in the game and he should be proud of the same.

“I know how difficult it is to let go. No matter what, you try to do anything to stay around and do what you’ve done at the top of the game for so long and been so successful and you know, sometimes, it’s tough to let go,” Connors said.

“With the success he has… there’s no looking back and saying ‘I wish I would’ve done something’. I’m sure he’s done everything he’s ever gotten in the game to do and you know, taking care of your health I guess comes down to making that decision.”

After pulling out of the Monte Carlo Masters, Nadal will look to be ready for the Barcelona Open, which he has won 12 times.