A dejected Rafael Nadal during 2023 Australian Open
Rafael Nadal is out of action with a hip injury since the Australian Open earlier this year
Rafael Nadal has provided an update about his injury and comeback plans after recently announcing his decision to withdraw from the Indian Wells and the Miami Masters. The Spaniard has been out of action with a hip injury and hasn’t played a match since his second-round loss at the Australian Open. Nadal is currently undergoing a full recovery and will look to be back in time for the European clay court season.
Nadal said: “I had a major rupture in Australia. It’s taking time. Evolution is slower than we’d like. I will be back when I am well. The idea is to peak at Roland Garros.” The Spaniard had earlier stated that he is currently in rehab and has already begun his physiotherapy and gym sessions under the supervision of his trainers and team of doctors. Nadal is expected to target a comeback at the Monte Carlo Masters, where he is an 11-time champion.
Injuries have always been a part and parcel of Nadal’s career. Despite the struggles, the Spaniard has done the impossible, winning 22 Grand Slams including 13 Roland Garros, and rewriting entire pages of tennis history. However, Rafa has never been able to fully recover from particular injuries and has had to deal with a lot of problems throughout his glorious career. Seventeen years since it was first diagnosed, the Mueller-Weiss syndrome is still very much a part of Nadal’s career, and he is struggling with it even more during this twilight phase of his career.
Nadal had a stellar season in 2022 but he did struggle with his foot during the initial part of the year. The Spaniard had revealed that his injured foot troubled him during his 7-6, 7-6 win against Reilly Opelka at the Indian Wells Masters last year. One year from then, another injury forced him to withdraw from the same tournament. It remains to be seen if Nadal can replicate his 2022 form this year as he struggles with his foot getting worse with time.
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