Rafael Nadal will be giving 'the best he can' to be match ready at the French Open, says Justine Henin

14.04.2023 - 15:45 eurosport.com

Justine Henin believes Rafael Nadal will be giving «the best he can» to get back to full fitness for the French Open in May.

Nadal revealed on Friday that he will not be participating in Barcelona as he is still recovering from a muscle injury in his left leg picked up at the Australian Open in January.

Ad Nadal had already withdrawn from Indian Wells, the Miami Open and the Monte Carlo Masters as he focuses on returning to full fitness.

ATP Barcelona'I'm still not prepared' — Nadal withdraws from Barcelona Open6 HOURS AGO The 22-time Grand Slam winner now faces a race against time to be match ready for the French Open which gets underway on May 28.

tennis Barcelona Monte Carlo Rafael Nadal Roland Garros Justine Henin Laura Robson France Australia Madrid India

Rafael Nadal's uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, is optimistic his nephew will play at the French Open, but admitted on Tuesday that the record 14-time champion will not arrive under ideal circumstances.

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Carlos Alcaraz insisted Sunday that he is not Rafael Nadal's "replacement" as the teenager comfortably defended his Barcelona title, bolstering his bid to succeed his compatriot as French Open champion. The 19-year-old brushed aside Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 to add the Barcelona trophy to wins in Buenos Aires and Indian Wells in 2023. He now has nine career titles. With 14-time French Open champion Nadal sidelined since January with a hip injury and world number one and two-time Roland Garros winner Novak Djokovic struggling with an elbow problem, Alcaraz reinforced his credentials as a major contender to add the clay-court Grand Slam title to the US Open he captured last year.

Toni Nadal Optimistic Over Rafael Nadal's French Open Participation

Rafael Nadal's uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, is optimistic his nephew will play at the French Open, but admitted Tuesday that the record 14-time champion will not arrive under ideal circumstances. "Rafa is recovering, I think it won't be long before he can compete again, but in the tournament here (the Madrid Open) it could not be," Toni Nadal told Spanish public broadcaster TVE. Rafa Nadal announced he would not participate in Madrid last week as he continues to recover from the hip injury he suffered in January in the Australian Open.

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Carlos Alcaraz insisted on Sunday that he is not Rafael Nadal's "replacement" as the teenager comfortably defended his Barcelona title, bolstering his bid to succeed his compatriot as French Open champion.

Rafael Nadal doubtful for French Open after pulling out of Madrid

Rafael Nadal is a major doubt for the French Open after admitting treatment on the hip injury he suffered in January has not worked.