Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Joining Others, Withdraws From Miami

Written by: Staff on 18th March 2013

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Joining Others, Withdraws From Miami |

The Miami Masters is facing a pullout plague, with Roger Federer and now Rafael Nadal both high-profile absentee as the Masters 1000 begins.

Nadal, who won the Indian Wells title, said he doesn’t want to overplay on hard courts. He has played 19 matches in four tournaments since returning after seven months off due to knee trouble in the past six weeks.

“The doctors recommend me to be back home for a few weeks and rest a little bit and keep practicing the right way,” he said. “I need more power on the left leg quadriceps, so I need to keep working hard. The competition is hard for the body, so after four fantastic weeks I can’t go to Miami. I need to prepare and rest for [Montel Carlo].

Federer announced that he would not be playing in Miami months ago, instead taking a long training block at home in Switzerland. Federer is due to return to defend his clay title in Madrid in the first week of May. Nadal’s decision came as the Spaniard reached a surprise final at the Indian Wells Masters, capping what has been a month-long comeback after seven months away with a knee injury.

Also missing will be American Mardy Fish. Fish revealed that after testing his long-standing accelerated heartbeat condition with a few matches at Indian Wells, he does not feel confident enough to take the next step and play a second straight big event. “Unfortunately I won’t be able to compete in Miami this year friends,” Fish tweeted. “Hope to be out there again soon! Thanks for the love and support in IW!”,

Ernests Gulbis also withdrew instead of playing in qualifying or asking for a wild card. The quirky Latvian had made headlines in recent weeks as he awoke form several seasons of half-hearted form and ran off a 13-match win streak, which was ended in the Indian Wells fourth round by Rafael Nadal. Gulbis, who played 14 matches in less than three weeks, has risen from outside the top 100 to almost into the top 50 in the current ATP list.

There could also be a nasty surprise on the women’s side as world No. 2 Victoria Azarenka continues to deal with an ankle inflammation which has bothered her for a month and forced her to withdraw in Dubai and Indian Wells. Her presence in Miami is dependent on her recovery.

Samantha Stosur also withdrew with a calf injury, joining Stan Wawrinka and Radek Stepanek on the sidelines.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Ernests Gulbis, Indian Wells Masters, Mardy Fish, Miami Masters, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Samantha Stosur, Sports, Stan Wawrinka, Tennis News, Victoria Azarenka