Feliciano Lopez scared of Rafael Nadal’s career ending like Roger Federer as injuries delay his comeback

Feliciano Lopez is hopeful for Rafael Nadal will play in the Madrid Open unlike Roger Federer who had to retire without playing a singles match on the tour in the 2022 season.

Feliciano Lopez scared of Rafael Nadal’s career ending like Roger Federer as injuries delay his comeback

Feliciano Lopez, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (Image Credit: FirstSportz)

Feliciano Lopez is ready to participate in the Barcelona Open for the 22nd time in his career. However, he is worried for long-time friend and compatriot Rafael Nadal who had to miss most of the action this season because of injury reasons.

Tennis fans had expected that as the clay swing of the season will start, Rafael Nadal will return to the courts completely fit and healthy. However, a few days ago, the 22-time Grand Slam champion withdrew from the 2023 Barcelona Open.

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Feliciano Lopez, like many tennis fans, is concerned about the health of Rafael Nadal. He too is eagerly waiting for him to return to the sport and believes the 36-year-old will do so at the Madrid Open.

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“I worry more as a friend. At the tennis level, obviously I am concerned that he can play again and that he can arrive at Roland Garros prepared, which is the main objective. But it worries me more on a personal level, that a player who has been triumphing all his life is now going through this, so I hope he recovers soon, if it can be in Madrid, great,” he said in a recent interview.

“People are waiting for him, they really wants to see him play, the people of Madrid always give him a lot of love every time he plays, that’s why I’m worried that this problem will last a little longer,” he continued.

Meanwhile, Feliciano Lopez is going to end his career at the Barcelona Open.

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Feliciano Lopez fears Rafael Nadal may be in a Roger Federer-like conundrum

Feliciano Lopez, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer (Image Credit: FirstSportz)
Feliciano Lopez, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer (Image Credit: FirstSportz)

A few months ago, Rafael Nadal was at the top of the world right now. He had won 22 Grand Slam titles in his career. However, in the 2023 season, everything seems to be falling apart for him. He lost form during the United Cup and his injuries resurfaced during the Australian Open, costing him the title.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic equaled his record by winning the Australian Open men’s singles title and the 22nd Grand Slam title. Now, the Serbian is poised to overtake Rafael Nadal in the Grand Slam titles record. Feliciano Lopez thinks that a similar situation was faced by Roger Federer.

In 2021, the Swiss was on top of the world with 20 Grand Slam singles titles. However, soon he had to sit out for the rest of the season after he underwent knee surgery in August of the same year. He could never return to court and retired after playing a doubles match at the Laver Cup with Rafael Nadal.

“It hurts me that he is going through this, just like it happened to Federer, who had to retire without being able to play, playing a half lame doubles match, although it was quite a reason, but I don’t think it was what he had dreamed of after all. What he has achieved,” he said.

Feliciano Lopez hopes that such a situation does not occur with Rafael Nadal and he gets a chance for a glorious exit from the sport.

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