Former doubles world No. 1 Chanda Rubin is thrilled to see Rafael Nadal returning to the practice court as she is hoping to see the Spaniard fully ready at the French Open.
Nadal, 35, last played at the Indian Wells Masters, where he suffered a stress fracture in one of his ribs.
Nadal was having difficulties breathing during the Indian Wells final loss to Taylor Fritz and after the match underwent testing to determine the reason for why he wasn’t at his best.
The day after the final, Nadal announced he sustained a stress fracture in one of his ribs and that he would be out for four to six weeks.
“It is (nice) and this was kind of the concern, what we saw, the stress fracture in his rib in Indian Wells, playing such great tennis, has had such a good start to the year,” Rubin said on Tennis Channel, as quoted on Sportskeeda. “But, there was time before Roland Garros, I think that’s where Nadal always looks to build.
“But it’s just been so nice to see Nadal playing at this level, getting back healthy before the clay-court swing, this is where he is a real factor.”
Nadal returns to the practice court
On Monday, Nadal posted a picture from a practice session.
“Today after 4 weeks without stepping on a tennis court, first light training. What an illusion to step on the clay again!” Nadal tweeted on Monday.
So far this clay season, Nadal was forced to withdraw from the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open.
āRafa has just been withdrawn from the entry list in Barcelona,ā his team told Reuters last week. āWe donāt know yet when he will be at his first tournament on clay this year. Hopefully, soon.ā
Nadal hasn’t confirmed when he will make his comeback but the Spaniard is certainly hoping to be ready for the Madrid Masters, whicb starts on May 1.