Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open on the eve of his first-round match at Indian Wells, saying in a social media post that he doesn’t find himself “ready to play at the highest level at such an important event.”
It is with great sadness that I have to withdraw from this amazing tournament.
Everyone knows how much I love this place and how much I love to play here at Indian Wells. That’s also one of the reasons why I came very early to the desert to practice and try to get ready.
I have been working hard and practicing and you all know I took a test this weekend but I don’t find myself ready to play at the highest level at such an important event.
It is not an easy decision, it’s a tough one as a matter of fact but I can’t lie to myself and lie to the thousands of fans. I will miss you all and I am sure the tournament will be a great success.
Rafa Nadal
Take yout time to heal and recharge, Rafa! The clay courts await your return!
I was there to watch him play for the first time. 🙁 I was hoping to see Rafa play one time before he retires, but I don’t know if that will happen for me now. Not unless I spend way more to go to Europe for the first time to see him play on clay because who knows if he comes back to America or not. I keep hoping he will, but we don’t know if his body will allow him to 🙁
Jo- Wifred Tsonga summed up Rafa’s situation best for me, when he said “[Rafa’s] got nothing to prove. That’s over….In truth he’s been a shadow of his former self for quite a few months now. He’s looking for validation so that he can leave. I think he just wants to prove it to himself to say to himself, now ‘I’m safe to leave, I’m at peace’.”
I sincerely hope that Rafa gets that wish.
According to Rafa’s post on X he “everybody knows he took a test” this weekend. Well, I didn’t know! Does anyone here want to enlighten me?
Rramara- the exhibition with Alcaraz in Las Vegas on Sunday was the “test” Rafa mentions.
Thank you, David holtzman.
Seeing you play in MGM is good enough for me as I can watch it unli on Netflix. Whatever or wherever you think you’re comfortable to compete, “Just Do It “. All the best RAFA !!!
Take your time and when your ready your fan will be waiting vamos rafa xx 😘
😔
It was clear from his exhibition match that Rafa was cautious in twisting to hit his backhand and his serve was hampered.
I’m so sad that he has to withdraw from IW, but I felt it was always going to be touch and go as to whether he could rediscover any decent level on the hardcourt since his injury at the AO.
As the time for his retirement draws ever near, I sincerely hope that he can be fit enough to put in some good performances on the clay. Love you always Rafa!
You know best , Rafa. Good luck-you are missed at Indian Wells. We hope you are healthy
and remain strong🥰🎾🍀
Been looking for Margo…hope all is well haven’t seen any post from you in a long time!
I feel like he’s slipping away.. The time is coming…perhaps now is the time unless he wants to try to be ready for RG where perhaps he will bid farewell…In any case I wish him well…
I feel the same way as you Marileena…For me I think it’s time for Rafa to retire, you just don’t bounce back at 37 like he has done so many times before . It‘s like any aging athlete, you are beat up after you’re off for a while. I think he is waiting for the clay season but not to be negative , I would rather see Rafa go out on top of the elite tennis world instead of trying to come back like Andy Murray. We can’t be sad for Rafa because post tennis he has an amazing life, his family, baby Rafa, his Academy , his restaurants he has a full happy successful life! I can’t help be sad because I was looking so forward to IW …I live close by and was looking forward to go watch his first match! It’s such a beautiful tournament, Coachella valley is beautiful in March! 💜💜 Rafa forever !
I totally agree with both posts above that since the time is here~and it is hard with everyday life to be so looking forward to seeing him again and then to be so disappointed,,==as you say he has so much in his life of his to turn to…of course whatever Rafa thinks is best .Will always appreciate and love the decades spent with him. I have loved getting to see Andy Bow out the way he is doing it..one match at a time..that’s better than not seeing the end…but again it’s Rafa’s life and we are here for him and with him..
My suggestion to Nadal is for this last FO, inject everything and everywhere, from head to toe, then try to win this last major event and retire before the Olympics.
Take care Rafa❤️ hope to see you again soon.
Rafa, we know you will come back healthier and stronger in time for Roland Garros and the Olympics in Paris! We believe in you!! Good luck and best wishes !!!🍀🥇
Rafa must have pain in that hip that prevents him from getting in top form.
He rests to let it calm down then the pain comes back when he hits the court again.
Everyone can see that this is agony for him.
Upsetting for sure, but he needs to stop pulling out of matches last minute. There’s no way that there wasn’t a hint that he might not be able to play. I’ll be ultra sad when he retires, but have the greatest tennis memories.
He played at Las Vegas and held his own but as time went on you can see that there was some struggle. We the fans want to see him healthy, happy and we will miss him dearly for sure, but make a decision soon, this back and forth is too much .
Take ur time King of Clay….only u know when ur ready to play at the highest level….God bless
Take ur time Rafa….only u knows when ur ready…..
not too sure…lots of tennis played a Las Vegas….exhibition though??
Nadal was able to play against alcaraz hé said to feel better then expected hard working people paid enormous money to see him play and now at the last moment pulling out
Hé lied to his fans. Hé is done tennis needs to move on from him.
Easy for you to make a snide remark like that. As a true Rafa fan, I’d rather see him withdraw than to struggle in pain and make things worse on court. His genuine fans understand.
Everyone who had tickets for tonight’s session is being given a refund, which I assume the tournament directors will be able to claim back on their insurance. I appreciate that it won’t make up for the disappointment, but it’s something.
It’ll break my heart to see Rafa retire, but he can’t keep trying to get match fit and then pulling out of tournaments at the last minute. I don’t want to see his career at Roland Garros ending with him retiring in pain in the first round. I hope he’s able to get back to playing, but this is all getting very upsetting, for him and for everyone else.
Finally you have come clean Rafa. You’ve been kidding yourself but you can’t fool your other 90 year old grandma. Your biggest fan for 23 years. Enjoy what you have achieved with your beautiful famiky.