Rafael Nadal appears to be like set to overlook the Miami Open as soon as once more as he rigorously manages his schedule. The Spaniard has been blighted by harm because the starting of 2023 and has performed simply three matches in 2024 to date.

As he goals to return to the court docket in March, the match in Miami doesn't look like a part of the 37-year-old’s plans. The entry checklist for the Miami Open has been launched and whereas rival Novak Djokovic leads the sector, Nadal’s title is nowhere to be seen.

This is maybe not a shock to many, because the 22-time Grand Slam champion has not performed on the Masters 1000 occasion since 2017. It has additionally not been a contented searching floor for the previous World No. 1.

He has reached the ultimate on 5 separate events however fell brief towards Roger Federer in 2005 and 2017, Nikolay Davydenko in 2008 and Djokovic in 2011 and 2014. Nadal’s omission from Miami’s entry checklist is maybe a part of his plan to make sure he's wholesome for the clay court docket season, which often is the final of his illustrious profession.

“My priority objective is to get to the clay season in the best possible way,” he stated in a latest interview with Spain’s El Objetivo. “I hope to be in Indian Wells, it will possibly be the last time I play it and it is a very special tournament for me.”

However, if Nadal determined he does in actual fact wish to compete on the Miami Open, he would be capable of settle for a late wildcard. “My plans in recent years have had to deviate greatly from what I would have liked,” he admitted. “That is why we have to be flexible with decisions and try to get it right.”

After a yr on the sidelines, the tennis icon made his return to motion in January after struggling a hip drawback on the 2023 Australian Open. He aggravated the problem at January's Brisbane International and consequently, he was pressured to drag out of the yr's first Grand slam for the second yr working. He was additionally unable to compete in February’s Qatar Open.

The former Olympic champion is coaching arduous at his self-titled Rafael Nadal Academy to organize for Indian Wells and his Las Vegas exhibition with compatriot Carlos Alcaraz. The blockbuster occasion is about to be streamed reside on Netflix for what's a one-of-a-kind occasion because the streaming platform appears to be like to grow to be extra concerned in sports activities. "I am very excited to visit Las Vegas for the first time, one of the most iconic and fun cities in the world," Nadal stated.

“And I'm thrilled to play with Carlos Alcaraz." Nadal will then return to Indian Wells, an occasion he has gained 3 times up to now. He final performed there in 2022 whereas on an unbeaten begin to the season. He beat Sebastian Korda, Nick Kyrgios, Reily Opelka and Carlos Alcaraz en path to reaching the ultimate, the place Taylor Fritz ended his undefeated streak.