Alex Corretja expresses his concerns over Rafael Nadal’s future amid shocking withdrawal from Rome Masters

Corretja expresses concern for Nadal

Alex Corretja expresses his concerns over Rafael Nadal’s future amid shocking withdrawal from Rome Masters

Alex Corretja and Rafael Nadal (Image via Pinterest and The Japan Times)

The countdown for the second Grand Slam of the year has begun. All eyes are on Paris. The Roland Garros is what everyone is talking about. The Italian Open may be going on but what draws more attention is the upcoming Paris prize. However, this time around the air is filled with concern.

14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal has left everyone in worry after he withdrew from the Italian Open. The Spaniard has been struggling with an injury since last year’s Wimbledon. He did make it to the Aussie Open this year but looked far from his best. He has been out of action since then and withdrawing from tournaments one after the other is seeing him drop in the rankings.

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Former world no. 2 Alex Corretja has expressed his worries about the Spaniard’s ongoing health issues. “We need to wait, there’s still a little bit of time. I was thinking maybe he could play the week before and get some matches. But I didn’t expect that one from Rome.” He continued, “I was surprised already when he pulled out from Madrid, but this one, everybody was saying he was pretty much OK to play, he’s practicing, and unfortunately, he said no so that means he still needs more time.”

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Nadal now only has a week in hand to get any sort of court time under his belt before the French Open.

“I think he’s capable to get the rhythm in a few matches. I’m not concerned about the playing or not playing, I’m more concerned physically – how is he going to recover from matches? Not from this injury, from other ones that can come up,” explained Corretja. “When you don’t play for such a long time it’s so difficult because of all the things that can happen. I hope he can have a little bit of preparation for the tournament before, because if he plays two or three matches at Roland Garros, for two and a half or three hours.”

Related: WATCH: Rafael Nadal sweats hard in practice on clay to avoid missing French Open for the first time in 19 years

Corretja suggests Nadal start fresh on grass

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Rafael Nadal (Image via Wimbledon)

The former French Open finalist also offered a different comeback “What I like him to be is healthy, because then he can play anywhere. Of course, maybe you feel that on clay, he might prefer to play Roland Garros,” Corretja said. “But what about if he starts on grass, maybe he feels looser and goes for it and doesn’t make many long rallies. Like what happened last year at Wimbledon, he reached the semi-finals.”

Corretja added, “He’s ready to play anywhere and if not, hard court season. we can’t just say ‘Rafa is missing clay, we’re missing Rafa the whole year. No, Rafa can play on any surface.” Corretja believes that Rafa can actually skip the French Open and give himself some more time before he comes back. A player of his stature can make a comeback on any surface and doesn’t really have to depend on the dirt. Fans would hope they see their star as early as possible. However, they won’t mind him taking the time if it’s for the best in the long run.

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