On Tuesday, Rafael Nadal announced that he will miss the upcoming Monte Carlo Masters due to an injury that has kept him sidelined for several months. The former world number one was forced to skip the Indian Wells Masters last month and the Miami Open last week, as he continues to recover from a hip issue that ended his Australian Open title defense in January. Nadal, who has won the Monte Carlo Masters 11 times, said that he is still not ready to compete without the risk of getting injured and that he hopes to be fit for the French Open in May.
Nadal’s absence from competition has caused him to drop four places to 13th in the rankings, ending his record 912-week stay inside the top 10. However, the Spaniard remains optimistic about his chances at the French Open, a tournament he has dominated for years, having won there 14 times.
In addition to Nadal, top-10 players Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime have also pulled out of the Monte Carlo Masters. Alcaraz, the world number two, was beaten in the semifinals of the Miami Open last week and announced that he has post-traumatic arthritis in his left hand and muscle discomfort in his spine that needs rest. Meanwhile, Auger-Aliassime, ranked seventh in the world, said that he has been struggling with a left knee issue and has decided to take time off to fully heal and recover before his next tournament at the Madrid Open.
The absence of Nadal, Alcaraz, and Auger-Aliassime from the Monte Carlo Masters will undoubtedly have an impact on the tournament. However, with the likes of Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas set to compete, the event promises to be an exciting one.
Picture Credit: The Straits Times
