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By Chris Oddo | Friday March 2, 2018

 
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Rafael Nadal has decided to skip Indian Wells and Miami and return home to Spain in order to rest up for the clay-court season.

Photo credit: Guillermo Sanchez

Rafael Nadal has pulled the plug on Indian Wells and Miami in order to rest and recuperate for the clay-court season. The Spaniard made the announcement on Facebook on Friday morning.

“Unfortunately, the injury I suffered in Acapulco before starting the tournament is in the same area as the one suffered in Melbourne,” he wrote. “I won’t be able to play in Miami or Indian Wells as I need to recover. It was very painful to retire from Acapulco and it’s very hard as well to not play in the USA.”


The 16-time major champion suffered the injury at the Australian Open where he was forced to retire from his quarterfinal battle with Marin Cilic in the fifth set.

Nadal hoped to return at Acapulco but re-injured the area in practice a day before his opening match.

The 31-year-old Spaniard fell to rival Roger Federer at the 2017 Indian Wells and in the Miami Open final.

"We are disappointed that Rafa will not be able to compete for the title at this year’s BNP Paribas Open,” said Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas. "We wish him all the best for a speedy recovery, and hope to see him back in action at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden next year."

With Nadal’s withdrawal, Radu Albot moves into the main draw. 

 

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