Rafael Nadal pulls out of Indian Wells and Miami

World number two Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Masters events at Indian Wells and Miami because of a hip injury.

The Spaniard first felt the problem with his right hip during the Australian Open, and retired during the fifth set of his quarterfinal against Marin Cilic.

He then suffered a recurrence of the injury during practice ahead of the Mexican Open, forcing him to withdraw on the eve of the tournament in Acapulco.

The 31-year-old has now either withdrawn or retired from eight tournaments in a row – Basel, Paris, the ATP Finals, Brisbane, the Australian Open, Acapulco, Indian Wells and Miami.

Nadal will now concentrate on regaining full fitness in time for the start of the clay-court season in April, with a record 11th French Open title in June his major target.

Three-time champion Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the #BNPPO18 due to a right hip injury. We wish Rafa a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in Indian Wells in 2019! pic.twitter.com/zNC7kuv4wb

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 2, 2018

Rafael Nadal statement on Facebook: “Hi everyone. Unfortunately, the injury I suffered in Acapulco before starting the tournament is in the same area as the one suffered in Melbourne.

“I won’t be able to play in Miami or Indian Wells as I need to recover. It was very painful to retire from Acapulco and it’s very hard as well to not play in the USA.

“I will miss you and I will do everything that’s possible to be back there in 2019. Thank you.”

Nadal could still regain the world number one ranking during Indian Wells, should defending champion Roger Federer fail to reach the semi-finals.

Indian Wells injury list grows

Nadal joins a growing list of absentees on the men’s side from the first Masters tournament of 2018.

Already missing were Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka through long-term injuries, while Frenchmen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet both have knee problems and Belgian David Goffin will be absent as he continues to recover from an eye injury after he was struck by a ball.

> REPORT: Del Potro downs Zverev in Acapulco semifinal

However, five-time champion Novak Djokovic is scheduled to return to action in California following a “small medical intervention” on his right elbow.

In the women’s event, two-time champion Serena Williams is set to make her comeback to the tour following the birth of her daughter, Alexis Olympia, in September.

Victoria Azarenka, the former world number one and 2016 champion in Indian Wells, will return to action for the first time since Wimbledon because of a custody dispute that has prevented her from travelling.

Hey ???????? we ??????????????????????? are coming for you ???? @BNPPARIBASOPEN ???????????? pic.twitter.com/AtK1fLUIIY

— victoria azarenka (@vika7) March 2, 2018