Rafael Nadal has injury comeback target as season hampered by fitness woes

16 March 2023 , 08:53

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Rafael Nadal has not played since the Australian Open (Image: Andy Cheung/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal's much-anticipated return from injury is drawing closer, and a date has been set for his potential comeback.

The Spaniard has been out of action since sustaining a hip injury at the Australian Open in January. He withdrew from the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments, and is set to fall out of the top 10 for the first time in 18 years next week.

But the wait to see the tennis legend back in action on the ATP Tour is almost over as he was seen crushing balls on the practice courts at his academy in Majorca. While many could have predicted it, it has now been confirmed that the 36-year-old plans to rejoin the tour at the start of the clay-court season in Monte Carlo.

"Rafa was the first [player] to be registered," said David Massey, the tournament director of the Masters 1000 event. "He really wants to play at the Monte Carlo Masters and is giving himself every chance to take part in the tournament he’s so fond of.”

Nadal returned to training last week as he posted a video on social media on the clay with a caption which simply said "yes". This is the portion of the year Nadal has dominated throughout his career, and has won a record 11 titles in Monte Carlo, the last coming in 2018.

Novak Djokovic won Australian Open despite playing with major hamstring tear

The former world No. 1 will be keen to build his form over the next few tournaments with a bid to peak at the French Open, where he will be vying for a record 23rd Grand Slam title. One of his biggest rivals Casper Ruud, who Nadal defeated in last year’s Roland Garros final, insisted he would never count out the icon when it comes to the clay-court major.

Mounting injuries have raised fears over Nadal's future within the sport (Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Speaking with Dominic Thiem, the Norwegian said: "I don't know, I still feel like if Dominic or I shouldn't root for ourselves, I think we both can say that we wouldn't be surprised if Rafa came up with some ridiculous level once again. It wouldn't surprise me because he will probably use these weeks and these months as he is preparing for exactly, you know, Roland-Garros.

"You know, it doesn't matter if he loses in Monte Carlo or if he loses in Rome or Madrid. The only thing that is probably on his mind these days is just to be fit, be healthy and be ready for Roland-Garros."

Nadal’s great rival Novak Djokovic is also on the Monte Carlo entry list, having only played one tournament since winning his 10th Australian Open crown.

He suffered his first loss of the season at the Dubai Tennis Championships against Daniil Medvedev and was unable to play at the Indian Wells and Miami Masters due to the Covid vaccine mandate.

However, the Serbian may enter the event having lost the World No. 1 ranking if Carlos Alcaraz wins Indian Wells this week.

Liam Llewellyn