‘My body simply won’t allow it’: Nadal out of Monte Carlo Masters in another blow to French Open hopes

Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Monte Carlo Masters due to a lingering injury, delaying the start of his preparation for the clay court tournament ahead of the French Open and extending an absence that began in January.

The 37-year-old underwent hip surgery last summer and has played just three competitive matches this year, all in Brisbane before skipping the Australian Open.

Nadal has won the Monte Carlo Masters 11 times but announced on his social media accounts that he would not be ready to play when the tournament begins next week.

“My body just doesn’t allow it,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion said in a statement.

The Spaniard did not mention the French Open (he has won the clay court major a record 14 times) in his statement.

The Roland Garros tournament begins on May 25.

In early March, Nadal played an exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas but days later he withdrew from the Indian Wells tournament.

“You have no idea how hard it is for me not to be able to play these events,” he wrote.

“The only thing I can do is accept the situation and try to look to the immediate future while maintaining the emotion and the desire to play to give myself the opportunity for things to improve.”

AP