Rafael Nadal’s decision to withdraw from the Monte-Carlo Masters was backed by his uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, who emphasized that Nadal wasn’t fully fit and there were lingering concerns about his game. The 22-time Grand Slam winner had planned his comeback at this tournament, but his body wasn’t ready for the rigors of competitive tennis.
Nadal himself expressed his frustration, acknowledging that despite his hard work and determination, he couldn’t ignore his body’s limitations. He had played a few matches earlier in the year but had to withdraw from subsequent tournaments due to a muscle injury, including the Australian Open, Qatar Open, and Indian Wells Open.
Toni Nadal revealed that Rafael was still experiencing discomfort, particularly when serving, which made it clear that he wasn’t ready to compete at his best level. Despite this setback, Nadal’s focus was on recovering fully before returning to the court.
The uncertainty extended to Nadal’s upcoming schedule, with the Barcelona Open and Madrid Open on the horizon. Toni admitted that he wasn’t privy to Rafael’s exact plans but hoped for his participation, especially considering the importance of these events leading up to Roland Garros.
Regarding the French Open, there was optimism tempered with realism. While Nadal’s career has been illustrious, there were concerns about his ongoing fitness challenges. However, Toni remained positive, believing that if Nadal could recover well, he could still be a contender and possibly even win a medal at Roland Garros.
In summary, Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the Monte-Carlo Masters was a prudent decision given his physical condition, and the focus now shifted to his recovery and potential return to competitive tennis in the upcoming tournaments.
