When Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Mutua Madrid Open, his social media post was alarming.
“Unfortunately, the injury has still not healed and I can’t work on what I need to in order to compete,” Nadal explained. “I was training, but a few days ago we decided to change course, try another treatment, and see if things improve to try and be ready for what is to come. I can’t specify time periods because if I knew them I would tell you. But I don’t know.”
There is still no clear timetable for the 36-year-old Spaniard’s return, but for the first time in a while there was at least some good news coming out of the Nadal camp. Earlier this week he simply posted a photo of himself practicing at the Rafael Nadal Academy, without any caption.
His uncle, Toni, offered some context.
“Rafael is recovering, I think he is not long before he can compete again. But in this tournament (Madrid) he could not be here…. This is one of the tournaments that he is the most excited to play but we will have to wait for another year.
“Obviously he is not going to arrive at Roland Garros with a good preparation. We do not have to fool ourselves.”
Nadal has once more chance to play a warmup tournament prior to the French Open: the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome, which begins in less than two weeks.
race against time
Will he play in Rome? And play RG?
It is good news.