Rafael Nadal: The former world champion withdraws from the Qatar Open
“I would have loved to play in Doha,” Rafael Nadal, who was anticipated to return for the ATP 250 tournament that gets underway on February 19, stated.
On X, then known as Twitter, the 22-time Grand Slam winner continued, saying, “Unfortunately, I am not ready to compete.
“I will focus on keep working to be ready for the exhibition in Las Vegas and the amazing Indian Wells tournament.”
On March 3, Nadal will play an exhibition match in Las Vegas against his countryman Carlos Alcaraz. A few days later, he will make his ATP return at Indian Wells. In an interview with Spanish network La Sexta, Rafael Nadal expressed uncertainty about the number of events he would be able to play in this year.
Apart from the three Grand Slams that are still to come—the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open—Paris will host the Olympic Games this summer. Gold medallist Rafael Nadal remarked, “I don’t know which events I have left to play but between you and me, it’s not going to be many.”
“I’ll have Roland Garros as one of my objectives. Additionally, I would like to play in the Olympics. I hope to be able to confirm that, but I can’t right now. I believe I will.
After missing the French Open for the first time in 19 years, Rafael Nadal declared in May that 2024 would “probably” be his last year on the tennis circuit.