Rafael Nadal believes he will be in shape for Roland Garros, saying: ‘I’m on time’
Rafael Nadal has made an admission about his return, that despite having to deal with a “very disabling injury”, he feels he will be back to full match fitness for the French Open later this month.
The 35-year-old has had a fantastic start to the 2022 season. In fact, after going 20-0 before losing in the final of the Indian Wells Masters, it is his best start to a season ever.
In January, after a six month lay off due to injury, the Spanish veteran won the ATP 250 Melbourne Summer set before claiming a record 21st Grand Slam title in Australia.
Nadal will be looking to do something similar this month at the French Open as he confirmed he is set to return this week in Madrid in the hopes of boosting his match practice and fitness ahead of the 126th edition of the Major.
That would be significant progress for Nadal, who has been out for six weeks due to a cracked rib which he suffered in the semi-finals of the Indian Wells Masters.
Discussing his prospects for the next month, Rafael Nadal said he expects to be ready for Roland Garros as he bids to win a record-extending 14th title.
Nadal told reporters: “I have three weeks. So I trust that the daily training will help me to get ready.
“Here the demand [in high altitude in Madrid] is maximum, but what can be done is going to be done. The most important thing is to be healthy, but I think that going to Paris I’m on time. Three weeks are enough to get competitive.”
Nadal also opened up about his recent spell on the sidelines stating it has been a struggle for him to even train due to the injury ahead of the Madrid Open.
“I have trained very little, because the rib is very disabling and also very painful,” he said.
“I had two very bad weeks and afterwards it has been very, very disabling. I haven’t been able to do practically anything, but it’s here, at home, in Madrid.”
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