As he recovers from a hip injury, Rafael Nadal won’t participate in the Barcelona Open next week.
The 22-time grand slam champion hasn’t competed since losing to Mackenzie McDonald in the Australian Open second round in January.
Nadal did not compete in the Indian Wells or Monte Carlo tournaments, and his most recent absence raises more questions about whether he will play in the French Open, which starts at the end of May.
He wrote on Instagram on Friday: “Barcelona is a special tournament for me, because it’s my adopted club and because playing at home is always a unique feeling.
“I’m still not prepared and therefore I’m still in my preparation process for the return to competition.
“Good luck to my friend [tournament director] David Ferrer and his whole team for this edition of the Godo that will surely be a success as always on all levels.”
Nadal is a 12-time winner of the Barcelona Open, which he last won in 2021.
The 36-year-old recently dropped out of the world’s top 10 men’s rankings for the first time since 2005 due to his injury absence, and he currently sits in 15th place.