Rafael Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over his fitness and future – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Rafael Nadal, the 14-time French Open champion, returned to Roland Garros to practice and assess his readiness for the upcoming tournament.

The 37-year-old Spaniard arrived in the late afternoon with his coach, Carlos Moya, and a few sparring partners at the main stadium, Court Philippe Chatrier, which was open to the public.

Approximately 6,000 fans were present at the stadium, enthusiastically cheering as Nadal stepped onto the court. The practice session lasted around an hour and a half, after which Nadal signed several autographs before exiting through a doorway leading to the locker rooms.

The training session allowed Nadal to familiarize himself with the red clay at Roland Garros, as he hasn’t played a match there in two years, and to evaluate his physical condition. Nadal has been recovering from a hip injury that required surgery and has caused him to miss most of the 2023 season, as well as dealing with issues related to a hip muscle and an abdominal muscle.


Nadal’s recent loss to Hubert Hurkacz at the Italian Open, with a score of 6-1, 6-3, left him uncertain about his readiness for the French Open. “Let’s see what’s going on, how I feel myself mentally tomorrow, after tomorrow, and in one week,” Nadal said in Rome. “If I feel ready, I (am) going to try to be there and fight for the things that I have been fighting (for) the last 15 years, (even) if now (that) seems impossible.”

As of Monday, Nadal had not yet announced his decision regarding his participation in the French Open. This is expected to be his final season on tour, making this potentially his last appearance at a tournament he has won more times than any other tennis player has won any Grand Slam title. Nadal won the French Open in 2022, securing his 22nd major championship overall, which is second only to Novak Djokovic’s 24. He missed the French Open last year due to his hip injury.

(Inputs from AP)