By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Roland Garros’ crimson clay is Rafael Nadal’s career-defining floor.
The king of clay’s efficiency throughout clay season, peaking at Roland Garros, will decide his future, some former champions say.
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The 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal withdrew from the Australian Open as a result of a minor muscle tear close to his surgically-repaired hip.
Chatting with Spanish sports activities web site MARCA, former French Open finalist Alex Corretja mentioned if Nadal is wholesome and delivers the extent he did in Brisbane, not solely is the 14-time French Open champion a risk to win Paris, he might choose to increase his profession previous 2024.
“If Rafa is in good well being, will probably be tough for him to retire,” Corretja informed MARCA. “They take away your accidents or your degree, and if he would not have any accidents, the extent has already picked him up once more.
“The query is how his physique will face up to so many breaks and begin once more. Their degree would not depart me in any doubt. If after a yr he has been capable of play with the fluidity of Brisbane, when he has performed 10 video games he will probably be at 70 or 80 per cent of his degree. And with 15 matches, he’s a candidate to win Roland Garros.”
Whereas Corretja envisions a wholesome Nadal remodeling the terre battue right into a launching pad, former world No. 1 John McEnroe says the French Open may very well be the end line for the 37-year-old Spanish celebrity if he continues to be dogged by harm.
“I believe Rafa hoped, ‘hopefully I’ll be prepared for the French, see if my physique holds up there,’ ” McEnroe informed the media on an ESPN Zoom name this week. “If it doesn’t, I believe you’ll see him not play anymore.
“We’re all clearly hopeful he can as a result of Rafa has been superb for the sport. We’d wish to see him so long as we will.”
Picture credit score: Bradley Kanaris/Getty