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Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the 2022 Miami Masters, the ATP 1000 event that follows the ongoing Indian Wells Masters. The 21-time Grand Slam champion's spot in the main draw will be allotted to World No. 77 John Millman.
With the pull-out, the Spaniard will be going straight from Indian Wells to the clay season, his favorite time of the year. The news does not come as a shock as the Mallorcan had hinted that only the Mexican Open and the Indian Wells Open were on his radar.
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Entry for all ATP 1000 events is mandatory, which is why the World No. 4 had to formally communicate his decision to opt out of the Miami Masters ahead of time. The former World No. 1's next campaign following Indian Wells is likely to be at the Monte-Carlo Masters, a tournament he has won a record 11 times.
While Nadal's participation in Monte-Carlo has not been officially confirmed, tournament director Zeljko Franulovic said in a recent interview that his presence at the Masters 1000 event was virtually guaranteed. Incidentally, Monte-Carlo is also World No. 2 Novak Djokovic's next destination.
Miami remains one of two Masters 1000 events that Rafael Nadal has not managed to win yet
Along with the Paris Masters, the Miami Masters is one of two ATP 1000 events that Rafael Nadal has not yet managed to win in his career till date. Across 13 appearances, the World No. 4 has reached the final on five occasions but has always fallen at the final hurdle.
The Spaniard reached the final for the first time way back in 2005 but fell against Roger Federer. In 2008 and 2011, the Mallorcan succumbed to Nikolay Davydenko and Novak Djokovic respectively.
The World No. 4 was dwarfed once again by the Serb in 2014, while the Swiss bested him in 2017 -- both players managing to complete the Sunshine Double in the process. The 2017 edition also marked the former World No. 1's most recent appearance in the tournament.
Coming to the present, Rafael Nadal will begin his campaign at the 2022 Indian Wells Masters against Sebastian Korda. The American subdued Thanasi Kokkinakis in his first-round match-up to score his first win of the tournament and set up his second clash with Nadal. Having won their previous encounter at the 2020 French Open, the World No. 4 will be the firm favorite.
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