Rafael Nadal and Marin Cilic have officially withdrawn from the Qatar Open in Doha and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Doha update:
OUT: Nadal, Cilic — Entry List Updates (@EntryLists) February 14, 2023
Dubai update:
OUT: Nadal, Cilic — Entry List Updates (@EntryLists) February 14, 2023
After exiting the Australian Open in the second round, the tests showed Nadal contracted a hip injury.
On the other side, Cilic didn’t even play at the Australian Open due to a knee injury. After withdrawing from the Australian Open, Cilic also underwent a knee surgery. As expected, Nadal and Cilic aren’t ready to play in Doha and Dubai this month.
In Doha, Nadal has played eight times – he has made three finals and won one title at the tournament. In Dubai, Nadal has played four times and he has one title at the tournament. Also, Nadal was expected to return to Dubai this year for the first time since 2008.
Nadal said he would likely be out six to eight weeks
The day after exiting the Australian Open, Nadal indicated he would likely be out for a month and a half or two months. “Good afternoon. I have undergone medical tests after losing yesterday.
The MRI shows a grade 2 injury in the iliopsoas muscle in my left leg. Now it’s time for sports rest and anti-inflammatory physiotherapy. Normal recovery time 6 to 8 weeks,” Nadal announced the day after exiting the Australian Open.
In late January, Nadal provided another injury update and revealed nothing changes in his recovery timeline. “Today I have been at the Tecknon Tennis Clinic in Barcelona where they have carried out some tests on me.
The Melbourne results are confirmed and the deadlines remain the same. Established the treatments to follow and in 3 weeks they will perform new tests to see the evolution,” Nadal announced on January 26th. Nadal is set to miss Dubai but there is a chance we will see him back in action at the Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami. It remains to be seen if Nadal will be able to return to action next month.
