Rafael Nadal in ‘discomfort’ as he pulls out of Qatar Open

Rafael Nadal has abandoned plans to compete at the Qatar Open after revealing that he is still experiencing discomfort following the injury that forced him to pull out of the Australian Open last month.

Videos of the Spaniard training on and off court at his academy in Manacor had raised expectations that he would be fit to compete at the ATP 250 event, which begins in Doha next week. But in a Spanish television interview due to be broadcast on Wednesday evening, Nadal said he would make a “last minute” decision about travelling to the Qatari capital, and he has now announced his withdrawal from the event.

“I would have loved to play in Doha, where the tournament team, as well as the amazing Qatar fans have always supported me greatly,” Nadal said on social media. 

“Unfortunately, I am not ready to compete and I won’t be able to come to Doha, where I really wanted to be and play again after that unforgettable win in 2014.”

Nadal returned from a year-long absence with a hip injury at last month’s Brisbane International, where he notched up commanding wins over Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler before missing three match points in a marathon defeat to Jordan Thompson. An MRI scan taken after that loss revealed a micro tear in his hip, although in a different area to his previous injury. The 37-year-old has not played competitively since.

“I have had some discomfort in recent weeks and I am a little bit on the limit,” Nadal said in an interview with La Sexta, a Spanish television channel, excerpts from which were published by Relevo. 

“At this point, every blow I take, every injury, is a setback not only in tennis and physically, but also mentally. I would love to be in Doha, but Doha is very soon after the injury. I see the Doha decision more at the last minute.”

Nadal said he expected to be fit for next month’s Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells, although the clay-court season remains the priority in what he has suggested may be his final season on tour.

“I trust 100% to be in Indian Wells, it is a very special tournament for me,” said Nadal. “I don’t know if it will be the last time I am going to play it, so I would like to be in Indian Wells, for sure.

“My priority goal, which is what I said from the beginning, is to get to the clay season as healthy as possible. I want to try to give myself the option to enjoy the clay season.”

Elsewhere, Jannik Sinner produced an assured performance in his first outing since winning the Australian Open last month. The Italian world No 4 saw off home favourite Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-3 at the Rotterdam Open to extend his unbeaten run to an 11th straight match. 

“I’m happy to get my first win here over a really great player,” said Sinner. “It’s a little bit different [playing as a major winner] and you have to be prepared for your opponents to know you better and know your weaknesses more, so you have to be prepared to work hard and be ready.”

Sinner will face Gaël Monfils on Thursday for a place in the quarter-finals.