Rafa Nadal announced on Friday that he will not be able to play due to injury during the exhibition scheduled for March 5 in Las Vegas (USA) with his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.
“I am very sad not to be able to go to Las Vegas to participate in this incredible event with Carlos,” Nadal said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, the pace of my recovery does not allow me to be there ready to play,” added the Spaniard.
At the last Australian Open, Nadal injured the iliopsoas of his left leg in mid-January and has a recovery period of six to eight weeks.
Nadal’s withdrawal from this exhibition in the city of gambling also leaves open his participation in Indian Wells, the first Masters 1000 of the season and which will be held from March 6 to 19 in the Californian desert.
Nadal is still registered with Indian Wells although it is not yet known if he will play in this tournament, which he has won three times and was a runner-up in 2022.
Now without Nadal on the bill, the exhibition at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas continues with Alcaraz and two last-minute arrivals: Americans Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe.
Fritz and Tiafoe will meet first and the winner of this match will face Alcaraz later.