Rafael Nadal withdraws from Rome despite improvements with injury

Tennis clay master Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Rome tournament, despite improvements with his injury. The 10-time champion will miss this year's event as he continues recovering to be back in tennis action. 

Nadal took to his social media platforms to announce his withdrawal, stating he had to pull out because it's been many months since he has not been able to train at a high level.

"Sorry to announce that I won't be able to be in Rome. You all know how much it hurts me to miss another one of the tournaments that have marked my professional and personal career because of the love and support of Italian fans," said Nadal.

"Despite having noticed an improvement these past few days, It's been many months since I have not been able to train at high level, and the process of readaptation has its times, and I have no choice but to accept them and keep working," he concluded.

The 22 Grand Slam winner has been out of tennis action since being defeated in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open and was scheduled to return six to eight weeks after, but it hasn't been the case.