Rafael Nadal has been told that he is "finished"Rafael Nadal has received a brutal verdict ahead of his expected return on the clay.
1 has played just one tournament this year, picking up a fresh injury when he came back in Brisbane.
Since then, Nadal has pulled out of three tournaments and appears in doubt for the upcoming Monte Carlo Masters.
I will do my best to try to start the clay season, which is my goal.
Rafael Nadal played and lost an exhibition match in Las Vegas in March
Rafael Nadal has been told that he is "finished"
Rafael Nadal has received a brutal verdict ahead of his expected return on the clay. The former world No. 1 has played just one tournament this year, picking up a fresh injury when he came back in Brisbane. Since then, Nadal has pulled out of three tournaments and appears in doubt for the upcoming Monte Carlo Masters. And tennis fans have now claimed that he is “finished”.
Physical issues have derailed Nadal’s career over the last 15 months. At the 2023 Australian Open, he picked up a season-ending left psoas injury and underwent surgery in June. He returned at the Brisbane International in January and played two impressive matches before suffering a micro-muscle tear during his quarter-final defeat. It forced him out of the Australian Open and he has since delayed his comeback, pulling out of the Doha ATP 250 and withdrawing from Indian Wells 24 hours before his first match. It remains to be seen whether Nadal will be ready for next week’s Monte Carlo Masters but Express Sport readers believe that his career is over. Asked whether the 22-time Grand Slam champion was finished, an overwhelming 73 per cent voted yes, dismissing any hopes of a triumphant last dance on the clay. Nadal has made it no secret that his priority is to be competitive during his favourite part of the season on his most successful surface.
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Rafael Nadal has not played an official match since getting injured in Brisbane
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But following several setbacks since his Brisbane return, the former world No. 1 is trying to be realistic. Speaking at last month’s Rafa Nadal Foundation awards, he said: “The first objective is to try to compete and I go day by day. I will do my best to try to start the clay season, which is my goal. “I am working for that and making an effort with that goal, but from now on what may happen I no longer dare to say anything because lately it has been difficult for me to make predictions, unfortunately.” While Nadal has been practising, he admitted he hadn’t been able to meet the deadlines he wanted. “I have not stopped training at any time. I am trying at all times,” he added.
Rafael Nadal played and lost an exhibition match in Las Vegas in March
