Rafael Nadal had withdrawn from the French Open because his hip injury had not healed.©AFP
14-time champion Rafael Nadal pulled out of the upcoming French Open earlier this month, citing that his hip injury has not healed and he also said he expects 2024 to be his last year in professional tennis. Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza believes that while it can be challenging to bounce back from injury, it’s hard to bet on Nadal returning and winning more titles next year. Nadal has had a history of injury throughout his illustrious playing career, but the Spaniard has often overcome hurdles in his path and Sania is confident the 36-year-old can certainly do it again.
“It’s going to be tough considering he’s been out for months. Obviously it must have been extremely serious, especially considering he decided to skip French Open. Coming back from injury can be challenging. But having said that, he’s also a genius and he’s Rafael Nadal so you can’t bet against him it’s going to be a challenge but he’s one of those who like challenges he likes to challenge himself he could have chosen the easier way by saying that I can “I can’t. He really doesn’t have to, but he took the harder way. He will be back and we are very much looking forward to it,” Sania told DailyExpertNews in an interaction hosted by Sony Sports, the official broadcaster of the 2023 French Open.
In 2005, when Nadal won the French Open on his first attempt, he came two days short of his 19th birthday. 18 years later, he won a record 14 titles at Roland Garros.
Incredibly, in his 115 matches at Roland Garros, the ‘King of Clay’ was pushed to five sets just three times.
Last year, Nadal defeated the Norwegian Casper Ruud in the final at Roland Garros.
In his absence, world no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and two-time champion Novak Djokovic are big favorites to take the title this year.
Watch Roland Garros 2023 LIVE coverage on Sony Sports Ten 5, Sony Sports Ten 2 (English), Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi) and Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil and Telugu) channels from May 28, 2023
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