Daniil Medvedev shuts down Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic injury fears

Daniil Medvedev has shut down injury fears surrounding Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic ahead of the French Open. It comes after the Spaniard pulled out of next week’s Barcelona Open, saying he still isn’t ready to return. Meanwhile, Djokovic crashed out of Monte Carlo in the third round and sparked concern as he wore elbow strapping during the defeat.

With Nadal currently sidelined by an injury he picked up at the Australian Open, there are now concerns for Djokovic following his Monte Carlo loss to Lorenzo Musetti. The world No 1 appeared to be playing through an elbow issue after he was spotted wearing strapping during Wednesday’s practice session and Thursday’s match.

It has raised questions about the French Open, where Nadal and Djokovic could do battle for a record 23rd men’s singles Grand Slam title as they are currently tied on 22 each. But Medvedev has shut down any fears that both men won’t be fit enough for the second Major of the season.

“It’s like before the tournament here. It doesn’t change for me,” the world No 5 said when asked whether he was thinking about the French Open crowd amid the concerns for both of the pair. But Medvedev did admit that things would change if neither man is in his path at Roland Garros.

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“If I’m able to play well and I reach the semi-final and then I see there is no Rafa or Novak, it changes,” he added. “Although now Rafa is not as well ranked, I might meet him before.”

Although Nadal recently withdrew from Barcelona – leaving just two events he could play before the French – the 27-year-old backed the Spaniard to return to his most successful tournament. Medvedev continued: “But for the time being, I believe Rafa will play the French Open, although I’m not in his body. I don’t want to talk for him.”

And the former world No 1 even thought that Nadal would be the favourite for the title, given his record in Paris – winning 14 titles and losing just three matches. “But he will be a favourite, even if he didn’t play before,” he said.

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“He won 14 times this Grand Slam, so he will be the favourite. So it doesn’t change anything for me, but if I go far in the tournament, then the draw becomes easier if there are not those two guys who won 44 Grand Slams.”

While Nadal’s return to competition remains uncertain, Djokovic confirmed that he would still play next week’s ATP 250 event in Banja Luka after losing to Musetti. The world No 1’s brother Djordje is the tournament director, with the tournament previously staged in Djokovic’s home of Belgrade, Serbia before being moved this year.

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