Rafael Nadal diagnosed with a rib stress fracture, to be out for THIS No. of weeks
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Rafael Nadal
Back in the Top-3 of the ATP rankings, Rafael Nadal was unfortunate to not make it with a trophy as he lost in the finals of the 2022 Indian Wells Masters to Taylor Fritz. Fritz became the first American since Andre Agassi in 2001 to win the Indian Wells title as the 24-year old defeated Nadal 6-3, 7-6(5).
The defeat also ended Nadal’s winning streak of 20 matches since the start of the season having won 3 titles during the period including the 2022 Australian Open. Having already decided that post-Indian Wells, he would play directly on Clay, the Spaniard wished to take home his 4th title of the season but it was not his day.
Rafael Nadal suffered rib stress fracture during final
The Indian Wells Masters final was marred by injuries as both Taylor Fritz and Rafael Nadal suffered injuries in the match. American Fritz showed amazing doggedness and overcame Nadal to cause a shock upset and clinch his first ATP-1000 title, ending the Spaniard’s exceptional streak in the end.
Nadal had been battling his own injury issues throughout the tournament but it was not his ongoing foot issue that was causing him concern in the final but an apparent rib injury. The Spaniard twice received treatment on his upper body for a then undiagnosed problem that not only hurt but also affected his breathing.
It has now emerged that Nadal had suffered a rib stress fracture during the match, and is now set to spend a significant amount of time off the court. This is very unfortunate for the Spaniard, who was enjoying his best start to the season ever and had already clinched 3 titles. He is estimated to be out for four to six weeks with the injury.
The 21-time Grand Slam winner returned to Barcelona from the United States today and received the bad news from his doctor Ángel Ruiz Cotorro. He suffered a stress fracture on the left third costal arch. In the statement, it is clear that the injury occurred in the semifinal with Alcaraz.
The Spaniard could be fit enough to compete at the Madrid Open from 1st to 18th May, which would not be ideal preparation for the 2022 French Open, which is his ultimate goal as he now could miss all the events in the month of April.
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Akash Mandal
(433 Articles Published)