For the first time since 2004, Rafael Nadal will not compete at the Rome Masters. A ten-time champion at Foro Italico feels improvements after his recent hip therapy, although he still can not compete at the desired level. Nadal will continue training, hoping to get ready for Roland Garros, which starts in four weeks. Nadal won ten Rome Masters titles between 2005 and 2021, scoring some of his most memorable victories in front of the Italian fans and missing them a lot this year. Rafa experienced a left hip injury at the Australian Open, staying away from the court ever since and failing to recover for his beloved clay swing. After withdrawing from Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid, Rafa did the same with Rome, needing more time to get back at his best and hoping to enter his beloved Major at the end of May. The Spaniard experienced a couple of setbacks after his 22nd Major crown in Paris last year, failing to play injury-free and experiencing one of the most challenging periods of his career.
Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Rome Masters.
Rafa has played only 13 matches after the last year’s Wimbledon, winning five and keeping his Roland Garros crown as the only positive thing in the past 12 months! Nadal made a slow start to the current season and entered the Australian Open with no confidence after two United Cup losses. To make things worse, he experienced a severe hip injury in Melbourne that ended his campaign. The Spaniard revealed a Grade 2 iliopsoas that should have kept him away from the court for two months. Instead, a 22-time Major champion is yet to recover, skipping some of his favorite tournaments and extending his terrible luck. Nadal missed Doha and Dubai before withdrawing from Indian Wells and Miami, losing points and dropping out from the top-10 for the first time in almost 18 years! Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid were also out of Rafa’s reach, and he could not return to the desired level ahead of the Rome Masters. As things currently stand, Nadal will need a miracle at Roland Garros if he enters it, not playing for four months and losing the rhythm.
“Hello, everyone. I’m sorry to announce I will not be able to compete in Rome. You all know how much it hurts me to miss another tournament that has marked my career, especially with all the love and support from the Italian fans. I have noticed an improvement in the past few days. However, I have not trained at a high level for many months, and I have to continue with the process of readaptation and keep working,” Rafael Nadal said.