Nadal hasn't been in action since the second round of the Australian Open in January and in this time, he hasn't played at Indian Wells as well as the Miami and Monte Carlo Opens.

Nadal continues to try and recover from a hip injury and withdrawing from the Madrid Open has sparked fears that he won't be playing in the French Open at Roland Garros.

The 36-year-old Spanish superstar confirmed that due to his ongoing battle with the injury he won’t be able to play in Madrid.

“The weeks are passing and I had the desire of being able to play in tournaments that are the most important in my career such as Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros and for the moment I have missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

“I will not be able to be in Madrid unfortunately.”

Nadal has won the men’s single at the Roland Garros a record 14-times.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport