Rafael Nadal won the first Grand- Slam tournament of this year by clinching the Australian Open title. The Spaniard kept up his winning streak until the Indian Wells Masters 2022 finals. Although he won the Mexican Open title after the Happy Slam, Nadal fumbled at the Indian Wells tournament because of his injury.
Just a day after Rafael lost the Indian Wells final match to Taylor Fritz of the USA, he tweeted the details of his physical condition. The 35-year-old announced that he had cracked his rib during the final match. Due to this injury, the Spaniard has to stay away from court for at least four to six weeks.
Hola todos, quería anunciaros que he vuelto a España y fui enseguida a visitar a mi equipo médico para hacerme las pruebas tras la final de Indian Wells que jugué con molestias.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) March 22, 2022
Return of Rafael Nadal to the French Open is uncertain
Although Rafael had gained momentum by winning two straight titles and reaching the final of another tournament, this unexpected injury will hit his control hard. The World No.4 also pulled out of Barcelona Open 2022 which is due to commence on 17th April.
Nadal’s team, in the latest interview, stated- “We don’t know yet when he will be at his first tournament on clay this year. Hopefully, soon.” According to his team, it remains uncertain when Rafael will get back to play on the courts.
Furthermore, there are some more important ATP tennis tournaments coming up in the following days and month, which will play as a contributing factor to the performance of the players at the Roland Garros French Open 2022. The King of Clay court, who has already withdrawn from the Barcelona Open 2022, might miss out on the momentum he might gain by playing the former event and the Madrid Open this year. Rafael Nadal has a record of winning twelve Barcelona Open titles and five Madrid Open titles.
Nadal has clinched the Roland Garros French Open titles thirteen times so far, most by any player in the history of the Grand-Slam tournament. Even though Rafael makes a comeback at the clay-court championship, it is hard for him to win his 14th title given the lack of participation in games prior to the Grand-Slam tournament.
With no Rafael Nadal in the frame, other players such as Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Daniil Medvedev among others will target the French Open title.
