Nadal withdraws from Indian Wells

Rafael Nadal pulled out of the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday night, a day before he was supposed to play his first official match in two months. The 22-time Grand Slam champion posted the news on social media, writing that he was announcing the withdrawal “with great sadness.” The 37-year-old from Spain missed nearly all of last season because of a hip injury that required surgery, then briefly returned to action for three matches in early January before tearing a muscle near the hip. Nadal had come to the California desert ahead of the tournament to prepare for his return to action in what he has said could be his final year as a pro. He played an exhibition against Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday in Las Vegas, before going back to Indian Wells. “I have been working hard ... and you all know I took a test this weekend,” Nadal said, “but I don’t find myself ready.” Nadal has been interested in returning to the French Open, which he has won a record 14 times, and making one last appearance at a Summer Games — this year’s edition is in Paris, with tennis hosted by Roland Garros.