Rafael Nadal has been advised it would be 'best' for him to wait until the clay-court season before returning to tennis.
The Spaniard has pulled out of the upcoming Australian Open with another injury and his compatriot Alex Corretja has sent some timely advice.
Nadal missed almost the entirety of 2023 due to injury and fitness issues.
He made a competitive return at the Brisbane International last week, reaching the quarter-final before losing out to Jordan Thompson.
Rafael Nadal has been advised on when to return to tennis
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Nadal revealed afterwards that a scan showed up a 'micro tear' on his hip but not in the same place as his previous injury.
It isn't thought to be a serious problem but he will now return home to Spain to undergo rehabilitation.
Corretja believes waiting until the clay-court season would benefit Nadal as it would be less stress on his body.
He told Eurosport: "I think for clay it's maybe where his problems would have less impact and where he's going to feel the best.
"Let's see what happens, but it's clear that for all the people who had created this expectation it's a shame."
The clay-court season begins in April, with the first men's ATP event at the Monte-Carlo Masters.
The French Open, a tournament Nadal has won a record 14 times, takes place in May and June.
Corretja was not surprised to learn of Nadal's injury setback.
And he doesn't think it will prevent him from making a return at some point this year.
Former French Open finalist Corretja added: "It's certainly a setback that could happen.
"After so many months without competing, it is logical that muscularly you may feel some discomfort.
"The important thing is that it is not in the place where the big injury was made, that would be something to take into account and would perhaps be more worrying.
"I believe at the moment that if Rafa recovers, it doesn't have to affect him mentally.
"He has realised that his level has grown, that he is back to more or less where he wanted to be and now the only thing we have to hope is that he can recover, play a few more days and return to compete in the tournaments that he wants."
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Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Australian Open
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Nadal has previously stated that 2024 could be his final year in professional tennis.
He hadn't played since last year's Australian Open before returning in Brisbane.
Nadal has stopped short of putting an official date on when he will hang up his racket.
The 37-year-old is just hoping to play as much as he can before he finally makes that decision.
He said last month: "There's every chance that it's going to be my last year and I'm going to enjoy the tournaments in that way.
Rafael Nadal has suffered a micro tear in his hip
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"I don't want to announce it because in the end I don't know what can happen and I have to give myself the opportunity not to say one thing as then I'll be a slave to what I said.
"I think it's going to be like that but I can't be 100 per cent sure because in the end I've worked a lot to come back to compete and if suddenly things and my physique allow me to continue and enjoy what I do, why am I going to set a deadline?"
