'Very difficult moments for me' – Nadal pulls out of Monte Carlo

Rafael Nadal has been dealt another blow as he bids to put together a dream farewell season, with the Spaniard confirming that his body will force him to miss the upcoming Monte Carlo Masters.

Nadal spent a year on the sidelines after suffering an injury at the 2023 Australian Open, but returned at the Brisbane International in January.

His return lasted three matches, and he was forced back onto the sidelines and out of the Australian Open.

Nadal returned to Mallorca to work on his fitness, with the aim being to get in shape for the clay swing and a possible shot at a 15th French Open title.

It was hoped that he would make his return at the Monte Carlo Masters, a tournament he has won on 11 occasions, but the 37-year-old confirmed on social media that his body was still not up to the rigours of top-flight tennis.

“These are very difficult moments for me, sporting wise,” Nadal said. “Unfortunately I have to tell you that I am not going to be playing in Monte Carlo. My body simply won’t allow me.

“Even if I am working hard & making the maximum effort every day with all the will to play and compete again at tournaments that have been very important for me, the truth is that I can’t play today.

“You have no idea how hard this is for me to not be able to play these events.

“The only thing I can do is to accept the situation and try to look at the immediate future keeping the excitement and will to play in order to give me a chance for things to get better.”

The French Open gets underway on May 20, meaning Nadal has a little over six weeks to get in the required shape to compete at a Grand Slam.

A goal for later in the season is a tilt at the Paris Olympics, to be played at his beloved Roland-Garros in the summer.