Rafael Nadal to make ‘last-minute’ Doha decision and prioritise clay season, will '100%' be at Indian Wells

Published 14/02/2024 at 14:46 GMT

Rafael Nadal has cast doubt on his place at the ATP 250 tournament in Doha which runs between February 19 and 24. The Spaniard looks set to make a "last-minute" decision on his participation in the tournament, but is fully expecting to compete at Indian Wells next month. Eurosport tennis experts Alex Corretja and Barbara Schett have previously deduced that Nadal would prioritise clay this season.

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Rafael Nadal will make a last-minute decision regarding his participation in Doha as he looks to prioritise the clay season in the spring.

Nadal was named on the entry list for the ATP 250 tournament, which takes place from February 19 to 24, but left his place at the tournament in doubt.

However, the 22-time Grand Slam champion remains hopeful of competing at the ATP 1000 Indian Wells hard-court tournament, which takes place between March 3 and 17.

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"I have had some discomfort in recent weeks and I am a little bit on the limit,” Nadal said in quotes 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 trust 100% to be in Indian Wells, it is a very special tournament for me. 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.

“I would love to be in Doha, but I will see the decision for Doha more at the last minute. I will travel to Indian Wells if there is nothing wrong, 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.”

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The 37-year-old made his comeback after a year out of action with a hip flexor problem at last month's Brisbane Open, where he was beaten in three sets by Jordan Thompson.

There were hopes that Nadal would then compete at this year’s Australian Open, but he subsequently ruled himself out of the tournament with a “micro tear” in his hip following that defeat to Thompson.

Nadal’s desire to focus on the clay-court campaign was supported by the comments made by Eurosport tennis expert Alex Corretja, following Nadal's decision to pull out of this year's first Grand Slam.

"I think for clay it's maybe where his problems would have less impact and where he's going to feel the best," he suggested.

Those sentiments were echoed by fellow Eurosport expert Barbara Schett, who believes that the Paris 2024 Olympics - which will also be held at Roland-Garros - will be another big target for the Spaniard.

“We know that he puts the emphasis on the clay-court season," she said.

"He wants to play well there; he wants to be fit and healthy. He wants to compete in the Olympics as well, so he has to rest up."

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