‘I don’t know when I’ll play again’ – Rafael Nadal douses hopes of Monte Carlo comeback

Rafael Nadal has denied that he will return from injury at the Monte Carlo Masters in April, insisting that he can’t put a time frame on a comeback.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner hasn’t featured since a second round Australian Open exit at the hands of Mackenzie McDonald, after which medical tests flagged up a muscular injury in his left leg.

Nadal withdrew from Indian Wells and the Miami Open as he focused on returning to full fitness, but hopes were raised of an imminent comeback after the Monte Carlo Masters tweeted that Nadal was ‘definitely able to win his 12th trophy in Monte Carlo despite of his last injury’.

However, Nadal has now denied that a comeback is imminent.

“Obviously if it were true, I would confirm it, but unfortunately I can’t. I’m following my course and I don’t know when I’ll play again, that’s the truth.

“I’m in a phase of increasing work. If I knew when I was going to return, I would say so, but I don’t know.

“I can’t confirm that I will play in Monte Carlo, things are seen day by day. I prefer to say things when I really know them.”

The Monte Carlo Masters runs from 8-16 April, kicking off the clay court season where Nadal has enjoyed so much success in his career.

The Spaniard will be hoping to be ready for Roland Garros at the end of May, the next Grand Slam event of the year, where he has won a record 14 titles.

Before then, there are also ATP 1000 clay court events on the calendar in Madrid and Rome.