File picture of Rafael Nadal. Nadal pulled out of the clay-court Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, saying he's not but in a position to compete on the highest degree.| Photo Credit: AP

Rafael Nadal pulled out of the clay-court Monte Carlo Masters on April 4, saying he's not but in a position to compete on the highest degree.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been sidelined with a left hip flexor injury because the Australian Open. The Monte Carlo Masters begins on April 8.

“I will not be able to play in one of the most important tournaments of my career, Monte Carlo,” Nadal wrote on Twitter.

Hola a todos, aún no me encuentro preparado para competir al más alto nivel. No podré jugar en uno de los torneos más importantes de mi carrera, Monte Carlo. No estoy aún en condiciones de jugar con las máximas garantías y continúo mi proceso preparación, esperando volver pronto

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) April 4, 2023

“I am not yet in conditions to play with the maximum guarantees and I continue my preparation process, hoping to be back soon.”

Second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz and seventh-ranked Felix Auger-Aliassime additionally withdrew from the occasion.

Alcaraz pulled out due to “physical discomfort” after his semifinal loss in Florida final week. The Spaniard had been so dominant just lately, he hadn’t misplaced a set since February earlier than that defeat.

“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,” the 19-year-old from Spain mentioned.

Auger-Aliassime must relaxation his left knee.

"I have been struggling with my left knee for the past few weeks and decided it was the smartest decision to take some time off so I’m able to fully heal and recover," the 22-year-old Canadian wrote on Instagram.

Nadal has gained the Monte Carlo match a file 11 instances, together with an Open Era file streak of eight consecutive titles from 2005-12. The 36-year-old Spaniard usually makes use of the occasion as a key a part of his preparations for the French Open, which takes place May 28-June 11.

.Nadal has gained 14 of his main titles on clay at Roland Garros, together with final 12 months whereas coping with continual ache in his left foot.

In January, Nadal harm his hip flexor throughout a second-round loss to Mackenzie McDonald on the Australian Open