Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime withdrew from the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Tuesday due to injury.
Nadal is an 11-time champion in the Principality, where he has earned a 73-6 record. The Spaniard wrote on Instagram Stories that he is not ready to compete for the first time since the Australian Open, where he suffered a grade 2 injury in the iliopsoas muscle of his left leg.
“Unfortunately I am still not ready to compete and will miss one of those special tournaments I always love to play,” Nadal wrote. “Monte Carlo is and has been a key event on my career, but unfortunately I will have to miss it again since I am still not ready to compete without the risk of getting injured. I will continue the long process of getting ready to come back.”
Alcaraz, who is 18-2 on the season and fresh off a title at Indian Wells and semi-final showing in Miami, revealed two things that will keep him out of the season’s first clay-court ATP Masters 1000 event.
“After two months abroad, I am happy to return home but sad because I finished my last match in Miami with physical discomfort. After visiting my doctor @drlopezmartinez in Murcia today and being evaluated, I will not be able to go to Monte Carlo to start the clay court tour,” Alcaraz wrote on Twitter. “I have post-traumatic arthritis in my left hand and muscular discomfort in the spine that needs rest to prepare for everything that is to come. See you in 2024 @ROLEXMCMASTERS!”
After two months abroad, I am happy to return home but sad because I finished my last match in Miami with physical discomfort. After visiting my doctor @drlopezmartinez in Murcia today and being evaluated, I will not be able to go to Monte Carlo to start the clay court tour. pic.twitter.com/UsJzejm1WC
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) April 4, 2023
Auger-Aliassime, who reached the quarter-finals at Indian Wells and the third round in Miami, has a left knee injury.
“Unfortunately I have to announce my retirement from the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters this year. It is an event that I look forward to each year,” Auger-Aliassime wrote on Twitter. “However, I have been struggling with my left knee for the past few weeks and decided it was the smartest decision to take some time off so I’m able to fully heal and recover before my next tournament at the Mutua Madrid Open. Thank you as always for your support and I look forward too seeing you back on court soon.”
Update 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/GwEKNU2VgB
— Félix AugerAliassime (@felixtennis) April 4, 2023