Rafael Nadal withdraws from Barcelona Open due to injury concerns

22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the upcoming Barcelona Open, saying he is still not prepared. Nadal has already missed Indian Wells, the Miami Open and the Monte Carlo Masters this year due to injury.

The Spaniard took to social media to say that he is not prepared for the Barcelona Open and is still in the process of returning to competitive tennis. The 36-year-old will be gearing up for a return to the French Open, having won the title a record 14 times.

“Barcelona is a special tournament for me because it's my adopted club and because playing at home is always a unique feeling. I'm still not prepared and therefore I'm still in my preparation process for the return to competition,” Nadal posted on Instagram.

He went on to wish former tennis star and Barcelona Open tournament director David Ferrer all the best for the



competition.

“Good luck to my friend [and tournament director] David Ferrer and his whole team for this edition of the Godo that will surely be a success as always on all levels,” Nadal added.

Having withdrawn from the Barcelona Open, Nadal only has four more clay court events left to play this season, with the Srpska Open and ATP Munich commencing on April 17, ATP Madrid starting on April 26, ATP Rome beginning on May 10 and ATP Geneva and ATP Lyon on May 21.

These tournaments will be followed by the big one, as the Spaniard chases his 15th French Open crown, starting May 28. Apart from the 14 Roland Garros titles, Nadal has won two Australian Opens, two Wimbledon Opens, and four US Open titles.

Nadal remains the most successful men’s tennis player in the Open era, having won 22 Grand Slams, along with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, who will be aiming to win his third French Open title.