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Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Masters 1000 event starting next week in Indian Wells because of injury.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion was expected to be out for six to eight weeks with a hip injury that hampered his defeat by Mackenzie McDonald.
“We wish Rafa continued healing and hope to see him back next year,” said Indian Wells director Tommy Haas.
Nadal won at the California event in 2007, 2009 and 2013, and lost in last year’s final to American Taylor Fritz.
Nadal has been mostly limited to physio and gym work in recent weeks, but was able to begin a gradual return to the court on Monday.
He will also miss the Miami Open in three weeks’ time.
Nadal’s next target is likely to be the Monte Carlo Masters, where he is an 11-time champion.
The first major event of the European clay court season begins on 9 April.
