Rafael Nadal hopeful of returning to US later in the year after Indian Wells and Miami withdrawal

Rafael Nadal's fans in the United States may be disappointed that they won't be able to catch him in action during the upcoming Sunshine Double. However, not all hope is lost.

The Spaniard has promised them that he will be in the country during the summer for the North American hardcourt swing, which also includes the US Open.

On Tuesday, the 22-time Grand Slam champion announced his withdrawal from the Indian Wells Masters and the Miami Open. He is still recovering from the hip injury he sustained during his second-round exit at the Australian Open. Nadal also withdrew from the Qatar Open and the Dubai Tennis Championships in February.

Taking to social media soon after news of his Indian Wells withdrawal hit, the 36-year-old revealed that he has been undergoing rehab and physiotherapy as advised by his doctors. He attached videos of himself working hard in the gym, adding that he was looking forward to returning at his very best soon.

"It’s been a while since I don’t communicate with you. Took my time off, started rehab, gym and physiotherapy as instructed by the doctors. Getting ready to come back the in the best conditions," Nadal said.

The former World No. 1 was saddened to miss out on the first two Masters 1000 events of the year as well. However, he was confident that he would make the trip to the US for the Cincinnati Masters and the New York Major in August-September.

"I am sad that I won’t be able to compete at Indian Wells nor Miami. Very sad not to be there. I’ll miss all my US fans but I hope to see them later this year during the summer swing," he said.

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"He goes because I’m still going, or other way round" - Novak Djokovic on his rivalry with Rafael Nadal

Nadal and Djokovic at the 2020 French Open

Novak Djokovic touched on his rivalry with Rafael Nadal in a recent interview, calling him his "biggest" rival. The Serb went on to declare that the duo fed off each other, opining that the Spaniard's successes drove him onward and vice versa - the reason why their rivalry was so great.

"We still keep going strong. I’m happy that we both are challenging the young guns for the biggest titles. And I think that probably there is also a big reason why we still compete on a high level is because, you know, he goes because I’m still going, or other way round," Djokovic said.

“I think that’s great about this rivalry. And I feel like many people around the world who follow sports and tennis, they still want us to keep going, until we can’t go anymore!”