Rafael Nadal has pulled out of Indian Wells 24 hours before his first-round match with Milos Raonic on Friday.
Nadal, 37, made his long-awaited return at January’s Brisbane International, after almost a year out with injury.
However, the Spaniard sustained a hip injury at the tournament which ruled him out of the Australian Open.
Nadal played an exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday, but said he is not yet ready “to play at the highest level”.
“It is with great sadness that I have to withdraw from this amazing tournament,” the 22-time Grand Slam winner wrote on Instagram.
“Everyone knows how much I love this place and how much I love to play here at Indian Wells. That’s also one of the reasons why I came very early to the desert to practice and try to get ready.”
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