Tennis: Nadal Withdraws From Federer Match

Nadal Withdraws From Federer Match By Francis Joseph Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open due to a right hip injury. Earlier this week, the Spanish superstar pulled out of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel. The World No. 2 announced the news via Facebook on Friday, stating, "I'm sorry to write this, but my worst possible scenario has been confirmed. The injury I suffered during training right before Acapulco is in the same basic area as the injury I suffered in Melbourne [during the Australian Open]. "I won't be playing at Indian Wells or in Miami and the goal going forward is to recover in time for the clay-court season. It hurt to retire in Acapulco, where I get so much support, but it's also painful not to be with my fans in the U.S. for the American swing in March, something that has always been important to me." The 31-year-old Nadal is a three-time former champion in Indian Wells (2007, 2009 and 2013) and has reached five Miami finals (2005, 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2017).