When will Rafael Nadal return after the rib injury? Will he play the 2022 French Open?
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Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal turned around his fortunes this year after a potentially career-threatening injury last year. The Spaniard even expressed doubts over his future in tennis and had to undergo foot surgery, which kept him on the sidelines for the better half of last season.
But in a remarkable turn of events, Nadal is back to his top form and is currently on an unbeaten streak this year while also bagging 3 titles, including a record 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
However, the Spaniard 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).
Will Rafael Nadal be fit for the French Open?
Post the final against Taylor Fritz, it emerged that Rafa 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 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.
His clay-court season looks hampered with him set to miss at least the start of the clay season with the current injury. The 35-year-old Spaniard will be ruled out of the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open, before his potential comeback at Madrid.
“This is not good news and I did not expect this,” tweeted Nadal.
Thus, while the Spaniard might just be fit for the French Open 2022, it wouldn’t be ideal preparation for him as he would only get one clay event (Madrid) to get up to speed with the surface and adjust.
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Akash Mandal
(433 Articles Published)