Fresh fears for Rafael Nadal’s career as Grand Slam icon’s fans get some bad news about his battle to return from injury that ruined his Australian Open
- Rafael Nadal’s injury struggles from Australian Open continue
- Veteran hurt his hip in shock defeat to Mackenzie McDonald
- Withdrawn from Barcelona Open and Monte Carlo Masters
- Nadal’s focus will be the French Open come May 28 in Paris
- Nadal and Novak Djokovic both have won 22 grand slams
Fears for tennis icon Rafael Nadal’s future in the sport have been heightened after he withdrew from the Barcelona Open while trying to battle back from a debilitating injury.
Nadal, 36, was desperate to play in the clay court tournament in his native Spain – but a hip injury sustained at the Australian Open in January against American Mackenzie McDonald continues to delay his quest to return to the baseline.
He also recently withdrew from the Monte Carlo Masters due to injury fears.
‘Unfortunately I am still not ready to compete and will miss one of those special tournaments I always love to play,’ Nadal said recently.
‘Monte Carlo is and has been a key event on my career, but unfortunately I will have to miss it again since I am still not ready to compete without the risk of getting injured.
Nadal (pictured receiving medical treatment for a hip complaint at the Australian Open) has withdrawn from the Barcelona Open due to injury
Having won a staggering 14 French Open titles, Nadal is working towards ensuring he can feature at Roland Garros come May 28
The 36-year-old is approaching the twilight of his career, and is regarded by some tennis fans as the greatest player the sport has ever seen
‘I will continue the process of getting ready to come back.’
After Nadal withdrew from Monte Carlo, longtime rival Novak Djokovic said other players can now look to dominate on clay.
‘Of course, in one way it’s a loss for the tournament and for tennis in general, because he is by far the most successful clay-court tennis player of all time,’ the Serb said.
‘We know how many times Rafa has won Monaco [11 times].
‘But on the other hand, it’s an opportunity, I think, for all of us others, when he’s not there, to try to go far and grab a title.’
Having won a staggering 14 French Open crowns, the veteran is working towards ensuring he can feature at Roland Garros come May 28 – but the withdrawal from the Barcelona tournament is sure to put a major dent in his preparation.
Nadal has dropped to 15 on the ATP rankings and in March it marked the first time in 18 years Nadal had dropped out of the top 10.
