Rafael Nadal having more foot pain, gives more detail on Miami decision

WATCH: Match highlights of Rafael Nadal's victory over Reilly Opelka in the 2022 Indian Wells quarterfinals.

Rafael Nadal says he is again experiencing pain in his foot, reinforcing his decision not to play Miami on hard courts next week.

The 35-year-old from Spain had a five-month layoff in 2021 because of a chronic foot condition attributed to Muller-Weiss syndrome, but he indicated that it had significantly improved as he began this season with wins at a Melbourne ATP warm-up, the Australian Open and Acapulco.

But there's been some pain again since the third round of Indian Wells, confirmed Nadal, though he indicated it should not stop him from playing the rest of the tournament.

"I felt my foot a little bit in the second set. I was able to keep going," Nadal told press following his fourth-round victory over Reilly Opelka. "Something that can happen. We know that. Just try to be ready and stay positive.

"I am not thinking about the foot much. I am just thinking about my tennis and my next opponent."

Even prior to playing the third round, Nadal announced that he would not be competing next week during the Miami Open, which he has not played recently in his career.

"I played much more than what I expected at the beginning of the season," said Nadal following the announcement. "If I play Miami, I will not have time to rest and not time to make a swift transition to the clay.

"I need to push [very hard] since the beginning, so that's dangerous for my foot, for my knees. I need to make that transition step by step... that's why I decided to stop and to have three weeks [off] before the clay court season."

The world No. 4 added that the clay courts would be easier on his foot compared to hard courts.

Nadal is scheduled to play Monte Carlo, following a return to Mallorca for training.