Rafael Nadal withdraws from Acapulco, hopes to return in 2022

World no. 2 Rafael Nadal will not compete in Acapulco for the sixth time, withdrawing from the next month's ATP event where he won the title a year ago.

Still struggling with a back injury, Nadal will skip Rotterdam and Acapulco, hoping to recover by Miami or the clay-swing that starts in April. Nadal's first Acapulco title came on debut in 2005, repeating that in 2013 and losing the final to Sam Querrey in 2017.

Last year, the Spaniard defeated five rivals in straight sets to lift the 85th ATP crown, beating Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-2 in the title clash to celebrate his last ATP title before the coronavirus outbreak. Nadal couldn't compete at the ATP Cup at the beginning of the new season, entering the Australian Open and losing the quarter-final to Stefanos Tsitsipas after winning the opening two sets.

"I am very sorry not to participate in Acapulco 2021. It is a difficult year for everyone, and in my current state of health, with a back ailment, it makes it impossible to make such a long trip. I love Acapulco, I played there for the last four years, but this year it has not been possible. Hopefully, I will return in 2022!" says Rafael Nadal.