Rafael Nadal stated Wednesday he’s uncertain if he might be able to return to motion in Doha subsequent week after he withdrew from the Australian Open with a muscle tear.
The Spaniard missed most of final yr with a hip harm sustained in Melbourne however made his comeback on the Brisbane Worldwide within the lead-up to this yr’s Australian Open.
Nonetheless, a small muscle tear compelled the 37-year-old to drag out of the season’s first Grand Slam.
“It’s going to be very tight for Doha. I’ve had some discomfort these previous few weeks, and I’m a bit on the restrict,” Nadal stated in an interview with La Sexta tv that might be broadcast in full later Wednesday.
“At this level, each blow I take, each harm, is a setback not solely in tennis and bodily but in addition mentally.”
The 22-time Grand Slam winner is way extra optimistic about enjoying in Indian Wells, the yr’s first Masters 1000 occasion, which runs from March 6-17 within the California desert.
“I’m 100% assured of being in Indian Wells, it’s a really particular event for me. I don’t know if it’s going to be the final time I play in it, so I want to be in Indian Wells, for positive.”
Nadal was named on the entry record final month for the Qatar Open, to be held February 19-24.
“I might like to be in Doha, what I do know is that it’s reducing it effective. I see the choice for Doha extra on the final minute. I’ll journey to Indian Wells for positive if there’s nothing mistaken,” he stated.
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Nadal reiterated that his “most important purpose is to attempt to get to the clay season as wholesome as potential, to at the very least give me the possibility to take pleasure in this a part of the season”, which the Spaniard has dominated in his profession.
He has received a file 14 French Open titles and holds an astonishing 112-3 win-loss file at Roland Garros.
Nadal received two matches in Brisbane in January after a yr on the sidelines however felt ache in his higher left thigh throughout a quarterfinal loss to Jordan Thompson.