Rafael Nadal will miss the Italian Open tennis tournament next week as he has not yet fully regained his fitness following a thigh injury sustained at the Australian Open last January, raising doubts about his participation in the French Open.
Nadal, a 14-time champion at Roland Garros, has also missed the current Madrid Open, as well as the Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Barcelona tournaments.
The 36-year-old Spanish player stated in a social media announcement, "I am very sorry to announce that I will not be able to be in Rome," adding, "You all know how painful it is to miss another tournament that has marked my professional and personal career, with all the love and support that the Italian fans have given me."
Nadal noted that, "Despite noticing improvements in recent days, I have gone several months without being able to train at a high level, and the re-adaptation process has its timings, and I have no choice but to accept it and continue working."
Nadal has participated in all Roland Garros tournaments since winning his first title among his record 22 Grand Slam singles titles in Paris in 2005.
The French Open is set to begin on May 28.
