The springtime Masters 1000 swing suffered a major setback as world No. 2 Rafael Nadal pulled out of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells and the Miami Open with an ongoing right hip injury.
The announcement comes days after Nadal withdrew from this week's Mexico Open.
"Unfortunately, the injury I suffered in Acapulco before starting the tournament is in the same area as the one suffered in Melbourne," Nadal wrote on Facebook on Friday. "It was very painful to retire from Acapulco, and it's very hard as well to not play in the USA. I will miss you and I will do everything that's possible to be back there in 2019."
Nadal initially hurt his hip in January's Australian Open, when he retired down 2-0 in the fifth set of the quarterfinals against Marin Cilic.
"We are disappointed that Rafa will not be able to compete for the title at this year's BNP Paribas Open," tournament director Tommy Haas said in a statement. "We wish him all the best for a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in action at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden next year."
Nadal, who has won Indian Wells three times but has never captured the Miami title, fell to Roger Federer in both events last year.
The Indian Wells tournament begins March 7, while Miami commences two weeks later.