Rafael Nadal doubtful for French Open after pulling out of Madrid

The 36-year-old won his 14th title at Roland Garros last summer.

Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Madrid Masters (Jean-Francois Badias/AP)

Rafael Nadal is a major doubt for the French Open after admitting treatment on the hip injury he suffered in January has not worked.

The 22-time grand slam champion had hoped the issue, which occurred during his second-round defeat by Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open, would only take six to eight weeks to heal.