This Friday, Rafael Nadal formally withdrew from the Barcelona Open, bringing his season-long tennis absence to six events as a result of a grade 2 injury to his left iliac psoas.
Nadal received a medical diagnostic on January 19 that indicated he would be sidelined for six to eight weeks, but the time frame has since grown to thirteen.
“Barcelona is a special tournament for me, because it is my adopted club, and because playing at home is always a unique feeling,” Nadal added.
“I am still working on getting ready for my comeback to competition since I am not yet ready. Wishing my friend David Ferrer and his crew the best of success with this year’s godo, which I am sure will be a success at all levels as always. Nadal is already looking ahead to the Mutua Madrid Open, one which will take place from April 26 to May 7.
If he finally plays in Madrid and Rome, he would repeat last year’s set-up when he won his fourteenth Roland Garros title with only five matches played on the European clay tour (three in Madrid and another two in Rome, where he left with a sore foot).
For the second consecutive season, he will miss Monte Carlo and Barcelona, the first two events of the European clay tour. On June 3, Nadal will turn 37 and hopes to be in Paris immersed in the fight for the Ronald Garros.
