Spaniard Rafael Nadal announced on Tuesday that he will be out for four to six weeks due to an injury sustained last weekend during the Indian Wells Masters 1000, which resulted in him missing the start of the clay-court season.
Nadal, who specified on Twitter to suffer from a “crack in a rib”, explained that he carried out a medical examination on his return to Spain, after feeling “discomfort”, in the Indian Wells Masters 1000 final, lost to general surprise against the American Taylor Fritz 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).
The world number three, who holds the record for Grand Slam victories (21) for men since his coronation at the Australian Open at the end of January, could therefore miss the Masters 1000 of Monte-Carlo, planned from April 11 to 17, as well as the Barcelona tournament (April 18-24).
He could return to Madrid (May 2-8) and also compete in the Masters 1000 in Rome (May 9-15) while his favorite Roland-Garros tournament, where he won thirteen times, is scheduled from May 23 to June 5.
“It’s like a needle that we press”
“This is not good news and I did not expect it”recognized the 35-year-old Mallorcan, saying to himself “collapsed and sad”. “I was coming to a very important part of the season with very good feelings and good results”he insisted.
Nadal made a perfect start to the season with twenty straight wins, until his defeat in the final at Indian Wells. He had complained, after the meeting, of pain in the left pectoral, which appeared during his semi-final against his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.
” I was sick. I have trouble breathing. I don’t know if it’s at the level of the ribs… When I breathe, when I move, it’s like pressing a needle. And it’s not just the pain, it’s affecting my breathing.”he then explained at a press conference.
On Twitter, the world number three has, however, promised “to be patient and work hard” to recover from this injury. “I still have this fighting spirit and overcoming”he assured.