Tennis fans fear Rafael Nadal has won last Slam as injury casts doubt

Rafael Nadal caused concern when he shared a lengthy injury update last Thursday, admitting that his original recovery plan had failed. The world No 14 is now attempting a new treatment with the hopes that he can still play some of the clay season – most notably the French Open. And Express Sport tennis fans fear that Nadal may have already won his final Grand Slam amid his ongoing injury woes.

Nadal has been set back by a barrage of injuries in the last 18 months – his long-standing foot issue, a rib fracture, an abdomen tear and most recently, a psoas injury he picked up at the Australian Open. Between his physical issues last year, the Spaniard was able to win the first two Majors of the season in Melbourne and Paris.

But 2023 hasn’t gone according to plan, with Nadal sharing a bleak statement last Thursday on what was week 14 of his six-to-eight-week recovery time frame. “The injury is still unhealed and I can’t work what I need to compete,” he said in an Instagram post.

With just over a month until the French Open begins, the 14-time champion in Paris has already started a new treatment and shared a photo of himself back on the practice court on Tuesday. But following his worrying update last week, Express Sport readers believe that Nadal may never win another Major title.

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53 per cent voted that they believed the 22-time Grand Slam champion had already won his final trophy at the biggest events in tennis. It comes after Nadal himself admitted he had no idea of a time frame for his new treatment, stating: “I was training, but now a few days ago we decided to change course a bit, do another treatment and see if things improve to try and get to what comes.

“I can’t give deadlines because if I knew I would tell you but I don’t know. This is the current situation.” While Express Sport readers are questioning whether Nadal has another Grand Slam title left in him, his uncle Toni believes he could be back “soon” and even be a favourite in Paris.

“Rafael is recovering, I think he is not long before he can compete again,” the 62-year-old told RTVE after his nephew was forced to pull out of the Madrid Open. Nadal’s former coach admitted that his preparation for Roland Garros wasn’t ideal but that the world No 14 would still be a favourite if he could make it to the second week.

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“Obviously he is not going to arrive at Roland Garros with a good preparation, we do not have to fool ourselves,” Toni confessed. “Since January 10 he hasn’t played matches and he hasn’t competed for a long time. Before Australia he didn’t play many matches either, but Nadal picks up speed right away and in a Grand Slam it depends a lot on the draw.”

And Toni is still backing the ‘King of Clay’, adding: “If you are lucky enough to have an affordable draw in the first rounds, then anything can be. I have said many times that they have interviewed me. Nadal in the second week is a favourite.”

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