Rafael Nadal: A glimmer of hope in difficult times
Rafael Nadal misses the two ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami. Nevertheless, there is also good news from the Spaniard's camp.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Mar 01, 2023, 08:10 pm
Unsurprisingly, Rafael Nadal will not take part in the two ATP Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami due to his hip flexor injury. "I will miss my US fans but I hope to see you again later in the summer," the 22-time Grand Slam winner wrote on social media on Tuesday.
Nadal sustained the injury in the second round of the Australian Open and then communicated a downtime of six to eight weeks. The cancellation of the two tournaments in North America was therefore to be expected, but is likely to have historic consequences. Because Nadal will most likely leave the top ten in the world rankings after the event in Miami. First time since April 18, 2005.
Nadal in Monte Carlo without a bye?
Thus, Nadal will no longer enjoy a bye in some tournaments in the first round. This fate could threaten him for the first time in Monte Carlo, where only the eight top seeded players have a free pass in round one. After all, there is a good chance that the former world number one will return to the tour in the Principality.
Because Nadal is already training on ashes again - videos on social media show this. In Monte Carlo, however, the 36-year-old could write fully, as he missed the event last year due to a rib injury. And with a tournament win, the Mallorcan would immediately be among the ten best tennis players in the world again.