Rafael Nadal withdraws from Miami Open

After skipping Rotterdam and opting not to play in Dubai and Acapulco, world no. 3 Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the season's first Masters 1000 event in Miami.

The five-time beaten Miami Open finalist is not yet fully recovered from a back injury that has been bothering him since Adelaide in January, and he wants to get back at 100% ahead of his beloved European clay swing.

In his only tournament of the season so far, Nadal reached the Australian Open quarter-final, taking two sets to love advantage against Stefanos Tsitsipas before falling in five thrilling sets.

Nadal's first final in Miami came in 2005 when he wasted a massive advantage against Roger Federer, missing a colossal opportunity to win the crown at 18. In 2008, Nikolay Davydenko defeated Rafa in the title match before Novak Djokovic spoiled his party in 2011 and 2014. Competing in Miami for the last time so far, Rafa lost to Roger Federer in straight sets in 2017.

"I'm sad to announce that I won't be playing in Miami, a city that I love. I need to fully recover and get ready for the clay-court season in Europe. Special message to my fans in the US and in particular to the great Spanish-speaking community in Florida who always give me a great support!" Rafael Nadal said.