Rafael Nadal Withdraws From 2023 Monte Carlo Masters: King of Clay Still Dealing With Hip Injury

• Rafael Nadal announced on Tuesday he is pulling out of the 2023 Monte Carlo Masters
• The Spaniard suffered a hip injury in the 2023 Australian Open and has been out since
• Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime have both also withdrawn from the event

Rafael Nadal will miss the Monte Carlo Masters tournament for the second straight year.

The Spaniard announced on Tuesday that he has failed to recover in time for next week’s tournament from a hip injury that has sidelined him for months.

He was injured during the second round of the Australian Open last January.

Nadal was forced to skip both Masters 1000 events in the United States (Indian Wells and Miami Open) because of the injury, per ESPN.

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The 36-year-old’s absence from tennis competitions resulted in him falling four places to 13th in the ATP rankings. That ended his record 912-week stay inside the top 10.

Many expected Nadal to make his much-anticipated return in Monaco, where he has enjoyed plenty of success. He won this event a record 11 times.

Tournament director, David Massey said last month that the Spaniard was the first to be registered for this year’s Monte Carlo Masters. However, the 22-time Grand Slam champion refuted those claims last week.

Nadal’s withdrawal raises concerns about his health ahead of the French Open. The King of Clay has won that Grand Slam event 14 times.

Alcaraz and Auger-Aliassime withdraw

Nadal isn’t the only tennis star to pull out of the Monte Carlo Masters. Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime also withdrew from the tournament due to injuries.

Alcaraz said he needed rest as he has been struggling with muscle discomfort in his spine and post-traumatic arthritis in his left hand. Auger-Aliassime, on the other hand, has been dealing with a left knee problem.

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Nadal injures hip in Australia

Sports Brief previously reported on Nadal's painful exit in this year's Australian Open.

He lost in straight sets to Mackenzie McDonald after injuring his hip during the match.

Nadal's wife, Maria Francisca Perello wept as her husband struggled through the injury.