Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz will do well in next tournaments: Feliciano Lopez

After Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz cited injuries to announce their withdrawals from the 2023 Monte Carlo Masters, compatriot Feliciano Lopez backed them to make strong returns in the future.

Excitement was building at the prospect of watching the two Spaniards and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic clash at the third Masters 1000 tournament of the season. However, on Tuesday (April 4), the 36-year-old Mallorcan pulled out of the event, with the 19-year-old Murcian following soon after. They were joined by Canadians Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov as well.

Spanish player and Madrid Open tournament director Lopez is set to retire from professional tennis after a career spanning nearly 26 years. Ahead of his early exit from the ongoing ATP Challenger Murcia Open, the 41-year-old spoke to Eurosport and weighed in on the upcoming clay season, saying that there was no clear favorite on the red dirt this year.

Lopez exuded confidence that Nadal and Alcaraz will perform to their standards in the tournaments after the Monte Carlo Masters.

"I trust that Nadal and Alcaraz will do well in the next tournaments," Lopez said. "Hopefully, Carlos will play with Djokovic again in Madrid and we will also have Rafa, who if he is healthy, will surely fight again for the big titles. In 2023, there is no clear favorite on clay."

Lopez added:

"Rafa and Carlos coincide in tennis in the same country should serve as a call for the government and companies to bet on this sport."

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Why did Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz withdraw from Monte Carlo Masters?

2022 BNP Paribas Open

Rafael Nadal picked up a hip injury at the 2023 Australian Open and hasn't played since. While it was reported in March that he would make a return at the 2023 Monte Carlo Masters, the 22-time Grand Slam champion denied it. On April 4, he announced his withdrawal from the tournament, where he holds the record for the highest number of titles — 11.

"I am not yet ready to compete at the highest level so I will not be able to play in one of the most important tournaments of my career, Monte Carlo," Nadal wrote. "Unfortunately, I am not yet in conditions to play with the maximum guarantees and I continue my process of recovery and preparation, hoping to return soon to the competition."

Carlos Alcaraz also revealed that he had arthritis in his left hand, which forced him to pull out of the event.

"After two months abroad, I am happy to return home but sad because I finished my last match in Miami with physical discomfort. After visiting my doctor @drlopezmartinez in Murcia today and being evaluated, I will not be able to go to Monte Carlo to start the clay court tour," Alcaraz wrote.

"I have post-traumatic arthritis in my left hand and muscular discomfort in the spine that needs rest to prepare for everything that is to come. See you in 2024 @ROLEXMCMASTERS," he added.

The two players are expected to return at the 2023 Barcelona Open.