Rafael Nadal pulls out of planned return to tennis

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has announced his withdrawal from the Qatar Open, citing health concerns that have hindered his planned return to competitive action.

The 37-year-old expressed his disappointment in a heartfelt message on social media, revealing that he is not yet physically prepared to compete at the level he desires.

“I would have loved to play in Doha … Unfortunately I am not ready to compete and I won’t be able to come to Doha where I really wanted to be and play again after that unforgettable win in 2014,” he wrote.

“I will focus on keep working to be ready for the exhibition in Las Vegas and the amazing Indian Wells tournament.”

Despite the setback, Nadal remains resilient and optimistic about his future in the sport. He outlined his upcoming plans, revealing that he will focus on preparing for an exhibition with rising star Carlos Alcaraz on March 3 in Las Vegas. Following the exhibition, Nadal has set his sights on the prestigious Indian Wells tournament in California.

Nadal, who made a triumphant return to the courts at the Brisbane International in January after nearly a year away from competitive play, faced setbacks that forced him to pull out of the Australian Open.

The Spanish tennis icon suffered a hip flexor injury during the Australian Open the previous year, leading to surgery and sidelining him for the remainder of the season.

As injury woes continue to plague the 22-time Grand Slam champion, Nadal hinted at the possibility that this year might mark the conclusion of his illustrious career.

In a recent interview with Spanish broadcaster La Sexta, he stated, “I don’t know which events I have left to play but between you and me, it’s not going to be many.”

“(Roland Garros) will be one of my goals. I’d like to play at the Olympics as well. It’s not something I can confirm right now, but I hope I will … I think I will,” he added.