Rafael Nadal has been out of action for over three months, experiencing a hip injury at the Australian Open and skipping seven tournaments. According to his uncle, we should see a 22-time Major champion back in action soon. Toni Nadal indicated Rafa should be ready for Rome Masters and chase his 15th Roland Garros crown in June. Instead of missing six to eight weeks, Rafa could not recover for his beloved clay swing, missing Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid for a massive blow. In an ideal scenario, Nadal will play the Rome Masters and gain some boost ahead of the season’s second Major and his main goal. The Spaniard has been dealing with numerous setbacks over the last few years. He remained in the GOAT race after winning Majors, giving his everything to stay injury-free but taking many months off the court.
Rafa is still not ready to play three months after the latest setback, requiring much more time to recover than his team initially thought. Nadal skipped this week’s Madrid Masters, withdrawing from the seventh tournament in a row after struggling to play without pain. A four-time Caja Magica champion decided to take more time off the court and heal his troubled hip, not wanting to risk anything after such a long break. Rafa has played only 13 matches after the last year’s Wimbledon, experiencing eight losses and failing to find the rhythm. The latest setback came in the Australian Open second round, losing to Mackenzie McDonald and injuring his left hip in the second set.
Rafael Nadal should recover in time for Roland Garros.
The Spaniard embraced further checks and revealed a Grade 2 iliopsoas that should have kept him away from the court for two months. Instead, a 22-time Major champion is yet to recover, skipping some of his favorite tournaments and extending his terrible luck. Nadal missed Doha and Dubai before withdrawing from Indian Wells and Miami, losing points and dropping out from the top-10 for the first time in almost 18 years! Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid were also out of Rafa’s reach, and we are waiting for his decision about the Rome Masters that kicks off in two weeks.
“Rafa would love to be competing now, but that will happen soon. He will play at Roland Garros, and we will base his chances on the upcoming weeks and the Rome Masters. Rafa is not thinking about his retirement. He is still passionate about tennis and wants to fully recover and compete again,” Toni Nadal said.