Rafael Nadal’s pullout from the Monte Carlo Masters could be a bitter foretaste of the Spaniard’s fate at Roland Garros in less than two months.
The 37-year-old who has been injured for most of the last season and a half, had to pull the plug on his appearance in the principality, issuing a sad statement on his condition.
“These are very difficult moments for me, sporting wise,” he said. “Unfortunately I have to tell you that I am not going to be playing in Monte Carlo. My body simply won’t allow me.”
The 22-year-old left little hope for a major turnaround:
“Even if I am working hard and making the maximum effort every day with all the will to play and compete again at tournaments that have been very important for me, the truth is that I can’t play today.
“You have no idea how hard this is for me to not be able to play these events.
“The only thing I can do is to accept the situation and try to look at the immediate future keeping the excitement and will to play in order to give me a chance for things to get better.”
Nadal, ranked 649, last played on the ATP in the early days of January, when he lost to Jordan Thompson in the Brisbane quarters.
He has won Monte Carlo 11 times,his last title coming in 2018.
Main photo:- Rafael Nadal beating Roger Federer 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in 2019 Roland Garros Final
