Rafael Nadal’s absence from Indian Wells noticed the 22-time Grand Slam champion slip out of the highest 10 for the primary time since 2005 on Monday however the Spaniard will nonetheless be the ”man to beat” on the French Open if he can get again to full health.
Nadal was compelled to skip the Masters 1000 occasion in California, the place he reached the ultimate final yr, as he continues his restoration from a hip subject that ended his Australian Open title defence in the second spherical in January.
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Unable to defend the 600 factors from Indian Wells resulted in Nadal dropping 4 locations to thirteenth in the rankings, ending his document 912-week keep inside the highest 10, which started when present primary Carlos Alcaraz was not even two years previous.
However, with Nadal getting ready to return to motion on the Monte Carlo Masters subsequent month forward of the French Open, which he has received 14 instances in his profession, his time outdoors the highest 10 may be brief.
World quantity 4 Casper Ruud, who misplaced to Nadal in the Roland Garros last final yr, stated he wouldn’t be shocked to see the 36-year-old elevate the trophy as soon as once more.
”It wouldn’t shock me as a result of he’ll in all probability use these weeks and these months, as he’s getting ready for precisely Roland Garros,” Ruud informed Eurosport as half of the ’Ruud Talk’ sequence.
”It doesn’t matter if he loses in Monte Carlo or Rome or Madrid. The solely factor that’s in all probability on his thoughts nowadays is simply to be match, be wholesome and be prepared for Roland Garros.”
Tennis misplaced two of its greats when Serena Williams and Roger Federer bowed out of the game final yr, however Nadal and rival Novak Djokovic are nonetheless soldiering on.
Djokovic, who turns 36 in May, has proven few indicators of slowing down and drew stage with Nadal on 22 Grand Slams by successful the Australian Open.
”For the entire tennis world, it could be good to see one final showdown at Roland Garros,” former U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem stated, including that Djokovic could be the favorite to win the remaining Grand Slams this yr.
”The solely match is Roland Garros: if Rafa is match there, it’s precisely the alternative. He’s the person to beat when he received the match 14 instances, it’s loopy.”
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