Rafa Nadal’s evident absence from Indian Wells noticed the 22-times Grand Slam champion plummet out of the highest 10 for the primary time since 2005 on Monday, however the Spaniard continues to be extensively anticipated to be the “man to beat” on the French Open if he can handle to return to full health.
Nadal was pressured to skip the Masters 1000 occasion in California, the place he reached the ultimate final yr, as he continues his restoration from a hip subject that ended his Australian Open title protection within the second spherical in January.
Unable to defend the 600 factors from Indian Wells resulted in Nadal dropping 4 locations to thirteenth within the rankings, ending his document 912-week keep inside the highest 10, which started when present No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz was not even two years previous.
However, with Nadal getting ready to return to motion on the Monte Carlo Masters subsequent month forward of the French Open, which he has gained 14 instances in his profession, his time exterior the highest 10 is perhaps quick.
World No. 4 Casper Ruud, who misplaced to Nadal within the Roland Garros remaining final yr, stated he wouldn’t be shocked to see the 36-year-old elevate the trophy as soon as once more.
“It wouldn’t surprise me because he’ll probably use these weeks and these months, as he’s preparing for exactly Roland Garros,” Ruud informed Eurosport as a part of the ‘Ruud Talk’ sequence.
“It doesn’t matter if he loses in Monte Carlo or Rome or Madrid. The only thing that’s probably on his mind these days is just to be fit, be healthy and be ready for Roland Garros.”
Tennis misplaced two of its greats when Serena Williams and Roger Federer bowed out of the game final yr, however Nadal and rival Novak Djokovic are nonetheless soldiering on.
Djokovic, who turns 36 in May, has proven few indicators of slowing down and drew degree with Nadal on 22 Grand Slams by successful the Australian Open.
“For the whole tennis world, it would be nice to see one last showdown at Roland Garros,” former U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem stated, including that Djokovic could be the favourite to win the remaining Grand Slams this yr.
“The only tournament is Roland Garros: If Rafa is fit there, it’s exactly the opposite. He’s the man to beat when he won the tournament 14 times, it’s crazy.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
