Rafael Nadal fuels further doubts about his fitness
There is still a big question mark behindRafael Nadal 's fitness level. The Spaniard refused a wildcard for the Challenger tournament in Bordeaux.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: May 14, 2023, 09:54 pm
While the ATP Masters 1000 tournament is taking place in Rome these days, Rafael Nadal in Mallorca is still struggling to get fit in time for the French Open in Paris. The 36-year-old has had to take a break since the Australian Open due to a hip flexor injury, and the time before the second Grand Slam event of the year is gradually running out for the 22-time major champion.
Nadal is still plagued by the aftermath of his injury, as social media videos have shown in recent weeks. A report in the French sports newspaper L'Équipe now also suggests that the Iberian is not yet ready to return to the match court: According to this, Nadal rejected a wildcard for the Challenger tournament in Bordeaux this week.
Nadal's agent Carlos Costa did not accept the wildcard after speaking to tournament director Jean-Baptiste Perlant. "I offered him one of the wildcards. Carlos Costa replied very kindly that Nadal was continuing to prepare at home in Manacor, that he was not ready and was in a race against time to be fit for the French Open ' Perlant explained.
The main competition of the French Open starts on May 28th. Nadal is the record winner at the Bois de Boulogne with 14 titles. The long-standing world number one also won the title in Paris in the pre-season.