Categories: BrisbaneDohaTop Story

Injury cloud still hangs over hard-luck Nadal

Rafael Nadal has expressed concern over his slow-to-heal thigh injury which may delay his comeback to the ATP scheduled for next week.

The 37-year-old Spaniard, who missed almost all of 2023, re-injured himself at the start of January as he played Brisbane, winning two rounds before losing in the quarter-finals to Jordan Thompson.

But Spanish media reported on Wednesday that the 22-time Grand Slam champion may have to skip the ATP 250 date starting on Monday in Doha,

“I would love to be in Doha, but Doha is very soon after the injury,” the No 646 said, “I see the Doha decision more at the last minute.”

Nadal added that his recovery has not gone as expected:

 “I’ve had some discomfort these last few weeks and I’m a little pushed to my limit.

“At this point, every issue, every injury, is a setback not only in the tennis and in the physical, but also in the mental.”

The Dubai field is headed by world No. 3  Daniil Medvedev, with Andy Murray also in the entry in the emirate.

Nadal later made the call to skip Doha, posting on social media:-

“I would have loved to play in Doha, where the tournament team, as well as the amazing Qatar fans have always supported me greatly.

“Unfortunately I am not ready to compete and I won’t be able to come to Doha where I really wanted to be and play again after that unforgettable win in 2014.”

He is now aiming for the Indian Wells Masters starting in just over three weeks.

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Halep seething over Swiatek wrist-slap doping penalty

Doping sanction victim Simona Halep has gone online to protest her own treatment by anti-doping…

3 weeks ago

Nadal goes down in final match

Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…

1 month ago

Sinner flattens de Minaur in runaway home start

Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…

1 month ago

Madcap Medvedev suffers temperamental Turin Finals loss

Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…

1 month ago

Team Sinner considering skipping Monte Carlo

Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…

1 month ago

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

2 months ago