Eleven-time Monte-Carlo champion Rafael Nadal has officially retired from the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters next week.
“I’m still not ready to compete at the highest level, so I won’t be able to play in one of the most important tournaments of my career, Monte Carlo,” Nadal said in a statement posted on social media. “Unfortunately, I cannot yet play with maximum guarantees, and I continue the process of recovery and preparation, hoping to return to competition soon.”
Fourteen-time Roland Garros champion Nadal hasn’t played since losing the Australian Open to US Mackenzie McDonald in the second round as he continues to recover from a hip injury .
The injury-fueled inactivity ended Nadal’s historic 912-week stint in the world top 10. The two-time Olympic champion who won the gold medal now only ranks 14th in the standings.
Nadal won his 11th Roland Garros crown in 2018. Despite his departure, Nadal’s team expressed optimism that he would recover in time for a Roland Garros title defense last month.
