The 22-time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal on Tuesday announced that he will miss the French Open warm-up tournament, Monte Carlo Masters, as he is still nursing his hip injury.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Monte Carlo Masters is slated to take place from April 8-16 which will mark the beginning of the clay court season, where the 14-time Roland Garros champion has enjoyed immense success in his career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I'm still not ready to compete at the highest level. I will not be able to play in one of the most important tournaments of my career, Monte Carlo," the Spaniard tweeted on Tuesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I am not yet in a position to play with the maximum guarantees and I continue my preparation process, hoping to return soon," he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nadal has been out of action since his Australian Open second-round loss to American Mackenzie McDonald, where he aggravated a hip injury.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Spaniard had also withdrawn from the Indian Wells Masters and Miami Open due to a grade 2 injury in the iliopsoas muscle in his left leg.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Last month at the draw ceremony of the Monte Carlo Masters, tournament director David Massey said that the Spaniard has signed up to compete in the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, Nadal brushed off the claims, stating that he is unable to specify a definite timeframe for his return.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On the other hand, world No. 2 men's singles tennis player Carlos Alcaraz also withdrew from the French Open warm-up tournament due to muscular discomfort.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"After two months abroad, I am happy to return home but sad because I finished my last match in Miami with physical discomfort. After visiting my doctor in Murcia today and being evaluated, I will not be able to go to Monte Carlo to start the clay court tour," the Spaniard said on Twitter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I have post-traumatic arthritis in my left hand and muscular discomfort in the spine that needs rest to prepare for everything that is to come," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 19-year-old, who became the youngest player to reach the tennis ranking summit last year, was dethroned from the No. 1 spot by Serbian great Novak Djokovic on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 2022 US Open winner had a chance to reclaim the top spot in the French Open warm-up tournament as Djokovic's lead over Alcaraz is slender with just 380 points.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 19-year-old, who became the youngest player to reach the tennis ranking summit last year, was dethroned from the No. 1 spot by Serbian great Novak Djokovic on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n