(Madrid) Rafael Nadal, 14 times crowned at Roland-Garros, but hampered this season by a hip injury contracted at the Australian Open in January, will announce Thursday afternoon whether or not he will participate in the French Open which begins next week (May 22-June 11).
“Tomorrow (Thursday, Ed), Rafa Nadal will hold a press conference at the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar at 4 p.m. (10 a.m. Eastern). Will then be communicated his decision to participate or not in Roland-Garros as well as the reasons for his choice, whatever it is, “said the Spaniard early Wednesday evening in a press release sent to the press.
At 36, Nadal suffered a psoas (hip flexor) injury in the second round of the Australian Open on January 18, losing to American Mackenzie McDonald in three sets. He has not played since in competition, notably missing the tournaments in Madrid and Rome.
“I had a big injury in Australia (in January), in the psoas. I was originally supposed to be out six to eight weeks, but we’re already heading into the fourteenth […] The situation is not what we had hoped for. We followed all the medical prescriptions, but for some unknown reason, the injury did not evolve as we had been told at the beginning and we ended up finding ourselves in a difficult situation, ”explained Nadal in a video posted on his social networks, on April 20.
“I think he will be ready for Roland-Garros”, had however affirmed the uncle and former trainer of the tennis player Toni Nadal, on April 28. “No, Rafa is not thinking about retirement,” he also assured.
If he participates in Roland-Garros, Rafael Nadal will be in contention for a 15e crowning potential in Paris, and a 23e Grand Slam, which would be a men’s record.
