Serious setback for Rafael Nadal before the start of the clay court season: The Grand Slam record champion has to take a break of four to six weeks. He announced this on Tuesday following investigations. Accordingly, the 35-year-old Spaniard suffered a stress fracture of a rib during the Masters in Indian Wells.
Rafael Nadal personally brought the bitter diagnosis “dejected” and “sad”: The Grand Slam record champion is going into the clay court season, which is so important for him, with a heavy mortgage. The 35-year-old Spaniard suffered a stress fracture of a rib and will be out for four to six weeks. The preparation of the record winner for the French Open from May 22nd is thus significantly disrupted.
The finding came as a shock to Nadal. “It’s not good news and I didn’t expect it either,” wrote the world number three on Twitter: “I’m depressed and sad because I had such a good start to the season.” After the strong results of spring with the triumph at the Australian Open, he was full of optimism. Now he will bring his famous fighting spirit before the “very important part of the year”, “be patient and work hard following my recovery”.
After the final in Indian Wells, Nadal had already clearly felt that something was wrong. In the 3: 6, 6: 7 (5: 7) once morest Taylor Fritz, his first defeat of the season following 20 wins, he might hardly hold back. Nadal then complained of breathing problems and feeling unwell. “I’m really suffering and I have to try to solve the problem as soon as possible,” he said.
But things won’t go really fast for the 13-time French Open winner. The injury is treacherous and affects an area that is stressed with almost every movement. For Nadal, the diagnosis is a real step backwards in his plan to recapture the clay court crown in Paris – from defending champion Novak Djokovic.
Rafael Nadal: race once morest time
With the start of the clay court tournaments, the Serb returns full of energy to the big stage, which he was not allowed to enter due to his unvaccinated status in Melbourne and at the Masters in Indian Wells and Miami.
Nadal took advantage of the great opportunity and, with his 21st major title, pulled away from Roger Federer (Switzerland) and Djokovic (both 20 titles), who is all the more determined to seize his chance at the French Open. For Nadal, on the other hand, it will be a fight once morest time to get in top form in time.
