Rafael Nadal has officially withdrawn from the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell because of the rib stress fracture that he sustained at the Indian Wells Masters last month.
It is no surprise considering the expected time table for the injury. After Nadal was plagued by the issue during a loss to Taylor Fritz in the Indian Wells title match, the reigning Australian Open champion indicated that would likely miss four to six weeks. That put the beginning of the clay-court swing in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona all but of the question.
Tuesday’s announcement only confirmed the inevitable and should be no cause for panic in advance of the French Open.
“Rafa has just been withdrawn from the entry list in Barcelona,” Nadal’s team said in a statement on Tuesday. “We don’t know yet when he will be at his first tournament on clay this year. Hopefully, soon.
“He does the gym, but nothing that hurts him and therefore obviously not with the racket. He is still suffering from his ribs and as expected when his injury was announced, he needs four to six weeks. We are at three, so logically he will not be able to play again in Barcelona.”
Although Nadal should be good to go for Roland Garros (and possibly for preceding Masters 1000s in Madrid and Rome), his status is just one reason why the French Open men’s singles title could be more up for grabs among an unusually large number of legitimate contenders.
Following Nadal, the favorites at the clay-court major are Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Alexander Zverev. Djokovic has been mostly inactive in 2022 and both he and Alcaraz lost their opening matches in Monte-Carlo. Tsitsipas has slumped since losing the 2021 French Open final to Djokovic and Zverev also isn’t in peak form right now. Additionally, two-time Roland Garros runner-up Dominic Thiem has been sidelined for almost a year due to a wrist injury. Recent world No. 1 and current world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev could miss the entire clay-court swing because of a hernia.
The French Open begins on May 22. Nadal is hopeful to be back for the Mutua Madrid Open, starting May 1.
worried or no?
No I am not worried. This was always goimg to be the plan. Rafa would have to withdraw from Monte Carlo and Barcelona. There is no reason for him to rush back. He needs to let it heal.
The time to get worried will be if he can’t play in Madrid.
not worried…he’ll be back for Madrid and/or Rome….and RG!!!
Worried yes. Not bcoz he is not playing Barcelona,don’t care about that. The fact that the statement said still has issue with ribs n not started practising with racquet .Madrid is 2.5 weeks away. .he needs to start practising by next week else it’s a red flag alert…also worried the long 6 week break will leave him cold
Sanju,
He can’t rush this. Anyone who ever had a rib fracture knows how painful it is. He cannot pick up a racket until it is healed. Aggravating it is not going to help him at all. His people know what has to be done.
I really wish he never had this injury. It is a nasty business. He was doing so well and it was a joy to see him winning and playing well.
I am going to revise what I originally said. If he isn’t ready for Madrid, I don’t think it’s a catastrophe. I would be concerned, but if he can only play Rome before RG, then he will have to deal with it.
The most important thing is that it heals.
I’m on the fence!! Wish he didn’t have injury period!’ When he gets to play he’ll have a target on his back and everyone will be gunning for him playing him hard!! Especially those hard hitters!!! Rafa is strong but coming from a rib injury can be ticklish at his age. But I do wish him a speedy recovery and all the best!! Vamos!!
Yes and no. I’d love to see Rafa get another Roland Garros and I’m sure he’d love that too. But what will be will be. I’ve never cared much about the slam race to GOAThood. I love to see Rafa win slams – or anything else! – sure. Rafa will, as always, do everything in his power to compete well. That’s enough for me!
Rafa reminds me of Tiger Woods, always injured but always comes back
*injured or other problems
ya, bit worried given the nature of the injury.
I am worried given the nature of the injury. It is such a nasty business. This is something he did not need. I hope it doesn’t affect his serving.