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Rafael Nadal - Australian Open 2023

Rafael Nadal ‘can’t confirm’ if he will return for Monte Carlo Masters


Rafael Nadal has shut down rumours that he will definitely be returning at the Monte Carlo Masters, despite the tournament appearing to confirm his participation on social media.

Nadal has been on the injury sidelines since his second round defeat to Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open, with a grade two tear to his iliopsoas muscle, and has only recently been seen practicing on the clay of his academy.

The Spaniard was originally supposed to be out for six to eight weeks, however it has now been nearly 10 weeks and his return still seems to be up in the air.

Nadal is on the entry list for the Monte Carlo Masters, which begin on the 9th April, with the tournament’s social media account seemingly announcing the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s return.

However, Nadal himself does not seem so sure about this, “I don’t know who gets this information.”

He continued, “Obviously, if it were true, I would confirm it, but unfortunately, I can’t. I’m following my course and I don’t know when I’ll play again, that’s the truth.”

“I’m in a phase of increasing work. If I knew when I was going to return, I would say so, but I don’t know. I can’t confirm that I will play in Monte Carlo, things are seen day by day. I prefer to say things when I really know them.”

Nadal is the most successful player ever at the Monte Carlo Masters with 11 titles to his name, his last coming in 2018 when he defeated Kei Nishikori in the final.

The man that many call the ‘king of clay’ was originally hoping to return to Monaco to kick off his clay court season, as he bids for a 15th Roland Garros crown, however his latest comments will not encourage his many fans.

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Matthew Johns, Tennishead Writer, is a professional tennis journalist with a specialist degree in Sports Journalism. He's a keen tennis player having represented his local club and University plus he's also a qualified tennis coach. Matthew has a deep knowledge of tennis especially the ATP Tour and thrives on breaking big tennis news stories for Tennishead.