Is Rafael Nadal playing Monte Carlo 2024? Injury update
The former world No. 1 featured in the Netflix Slam but withdrew from Indian Wells and hasn’t played since then.
The enigma over Rafa Nadal’s return to the courts continues. The 22-time Grand Slam event champion was last seen in action a month ago when he played an exhibition match with his fellow countryman Carlos Alcaraz that was shown on Netflix.
The Manacor native played at a high level and was very close to defeating Carlitos, although he didn’t manage to close the match and lost. However, his footwork was on point and his aggressiveness reminded the old times when he lifted multiple trophies.
However, the 14-time French Open winner announced after that he wouldn’t be featuring in Indian Wells due to injury.
“It is with great sadness that I have to withdraw from this amazing tournament at Indian Wells. Everyone knows how much I love this place and how much I love to play here. That’s also one of the reasons why I came very early to the desert to practice and try to get ready”, he said then on social media.
Now that the clay court season has begun and the big events are about to start, Nadal was expected to make his comeback as part of his preparations for the next French Open edition.
Rafa Nadal’s suspicious silence about Monte Carlo
Rafa finally returned to competition early this year, after missing almost 2023 due to an injury suffered at the Australian Open.
He played in Brisbane but soon had to withdraw after sustaining a muscle tear near his hip, although it wasn’t in the same area as the hip injury he suffered in the 2023 Australian Open.
After that, he planned on competing in Qatar in February but had to postpone it and finally returned for the Netflix Slam, which was the last match he was seen in action.
The 37-year-old legend’s plans included his return at the Monte Carlo Masters, but he hasn’t confirmed his presence yet, and the tournament will start next Monday.
The fact that there hasn’t been any communication yet on whether he will play in the event could be a hint that things aren’t going his way and that he hasn’t fully recovered.
Some weeks ago, Nadal admitted that he would do his best to play in Monte Carlo, although he preferred to be honest and didn’t rule out the possibility of having to wait a little longer for his return.
If Rafa doesn’t feature in the event it will be an important setback in his plans to conquer the French Open for a 15th time. as it has traditionally been one of his favorite tournaments in the clay court season and he will have less time to get the competition rhythm.