Former world number one, Rafael Nadal, has opted to delay his return to competitive tennis by withdrawing from the Qatar Open.
Having recently made a comeback at the Brisbane International, marking his return after nearly a year of injury hiatus, the 37-year-old encountered a setback with a hip injury, leading to his absence from the Australian Open.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, in a statement to X, clarified that he currently isn’t prepared for competitive play and intends to concentrate on regaining fitness for upcoming events.
Specifically, Nadal is aiming to participate in an exhibition match against compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas on March 3rd, followed by his ATP comeback at the Indian Wells tournament a few days later.
This decision follows Nadal’s notable absence from the French Open last year, the first time in 19 years, due to circumstances beyond his control.
In a previous statement in May, Nadal hinted that 2024 might mark the conclusion of his illustrious career.