Rafael Nadal pulls out of French Open citing wrist injury

Injuries came back to haunt the 29 year Spaniard once again and this time at his favorite tournament- the French Open a tournament which the southpaw has won a record 9 times. Rafael Nadal, who withdrew from the French Open with a wrist injury on Friday, has given more details about the problems he is experiencing and his schedule for a return.

Nadal said he has an inflamed tendon casing in his left wrist that could lead to a tear.

An MRI indicated that the injury was worsening, Nadal said. His doctor explained that he could not have injections for five more matches at the tournament, prompting his decision to withdraw.

Players reacted with surprise, since the nine-time French Open champion had given little indication that he was injured and had dropped just nine games in the first two rounds. But Andy Murray said he spotted an issue while the two were hitting before the tournament.

“I practiced with him earlier and he had it heavily strapped, grimacing a little bit,” Murray said. “But I didn’t know it was bad enough for him to pull out of the event.”

“If I go on playing, it’s going to break and it will mean months off the circuit,” he told reporters in Spanish.

Earlier former world number 1 and 2009 French Open champion Roger Federer was forced to withdraw before the French Open got underway due to injury. Nadal aims to be back in action for Wimbledon