Injured and beaten in the Indian Wells final, Rafael Nadal sees his good momentum cut short in 2022.
Defeated in the Indian Wells final 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) by Taylor Fritz, his first defeat in 2022 (with already 3 titles added to his list of Melbourne, Australian Open and Acapulco), Rafael Nadal had recounted his ordealLike a needle that we pressto describe the pain on the left side of his upper body that crippled him on Sunday. According to AS, the world No. 3 is suffering from a crack in the rib (the injury would have occurred during the semi-final won against Carlos Alcaraz) and would be forced to observe a break of 4 to 6 weeks.
«This is not good news and I did not expect it. I am devastated and sad because after such a good start to the season, I entered a very important part of the year with very good feelings and good results. But hey, I’ve always had this fighting and overcoming spirit and what I’m going to do is have patience and work hard after I recover.“, summed up the Spaniard.
On the road to Roland-Garros (May 22-June 5), there were his usual meetings in Monte-Carlo (April 10-17), Barcelona (April 18-24), Madrid (May 1-8), Rome (8-15 May). A man of habits and benchmarks but a player who has already had to deal with numerous (and serious) injuries, Rafael Nadal is experienced in time trials. The Spaniard (35 years old) who should therefore not be able to line up either in Monte Carlo or in Barcelona. And his participation remains uncertain for Madrid and Rome. Clay is his garden (62 of his 91 titles, including 13 at Roland-Garros), Rafael Nadal sees the season on his favorite surface that is heavily compromised. And suddenly standing before him a new daunting challenge.