Two months ago, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz arranged a pre-Indian Wells clash at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on March 5. However, Nadal withdrew from the event following his Australian Open injury, skipping Doha and Dubai and gathering question marks over his Indian Wells participation.
Nadal and Alcaraz wrote history at the end of 2022. Alcaraz became the youngest year-end no. 1, while Nadal stood as the oldest year-end no. 2 player, taking the honor from Roger Federer. Alcaraz and Nadal were the first year-end top-2 players from the same country since Pete Sampras and Michael Chang in 1996.
Two great compatriots have met three times on the Tour, and their “The Slam: Nadal vs. Alcaraz” clash will have to wait for another occasion. Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe will join Alcaraz in Las Vegas instead of Nadal, promising a great night of tennis.
Rafael Nadal will not play against Carlos Alcaraz in March in Las Vegas.
As was expected, Rafael Nadal withdrew from the upcoming ATP tournaments in Doha and Dubai, still not training and waiting for updates about his hip injury.
A 22-time Major winner experienced a Grade 2 iliopsoas injury in the Australian Open second round, hurting his left hip and announcing a break to heal it. Nadal injured his left leg in the second set’s closing stages against Mackenzie McDonald in a 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 loss.
After the initial checks in Melbourne, Rafa underwent more in Barcelona and confirmed the results. The Spaniard awaits the second round of results, not training on the court and hoping to change that as soon as possible. Nadal will try to return in Indian Wells in March, although it all depends on the results.
A 22-time Major champion has played only 13 matches after the last year’s Wimbledon, scoring five wins and eight losses! With the latest injury, Nadal will most likely drop out from the top-10 for the first time since April 2005, defending 1100 points in Acapulco and Indian Wells in the upcoming month!
Rafa came to Melbourne without any form, struggling with an injury for months and experiencing another at Rod Laver Arena against McDonald. It came in the second set’s closing stages, but the defending champion had already struggled against an inspired rival.
Rafa received a medical timeout but refused to surrender, fighting well in the third set before experiencing a break in the closing stages to propel the opponent over the top.
