But Nadal was clear in his statement that his body “won’t allow” a return to professional tennis at the moment, raising fears that Djokovic and attendees at the French Open will not get the opportunity to witness Nadal on clay before he retires.
“These are difficult times for me sportingly-speaking,” Nadal wrote. “Unfortunately, I am not going to play in Monte Carlo. My body just won’t allow it,” Nadal wrote. “And although I continue working and trying my best every day with the hope of being able to compete in tournaments that have been very important to me, the reality is that today I cannot.
“I have no choice but to accept the situation and try to look towards the immediate future while maintaining hope and desire to give myself the opportunity for things to improve.”
