Rafael Nadal injury a 'big setback' for French Open hopes, Roger Federer can return to tennis when ready - Boris Becker

Boris Becker hopes Rafael Nadal can get back to his best after picking up a lengthy injury at the Miami Open last month. Nadal was on a 20-match winning streak heading into the final before losing to USA's Taylor Fritz in straight sets in Florida. Two days later the Spaniard confirmed he was having breathing difficulties due to a cracked rib.

Ad/> As a result, Nadal was ruled out for four to six weeks. He is absent from the Monte Carlo Masters and will also miss the Barcelona Open which starts on April 18. Roland-Garros‘We don’t know’ — Nadal to miss Barcelona Open, no fixed return date12/04/2022 AT 12:19 Becker believes Nadal's injury is a «big setback» as he bids to win his 22nd Grand Slam title at the French Open in May.

«Nadal was actually considered invincible until he injured himself in the semi-final against Alcaraz, who played for over three hours,» the six-time Grand Slam title winner told Eurosport. «Something must be wrong with his rib. I had that once too.

»It hurts a lot and it takes a long time until you can play properly again because you need it to breathe. And especially now for the clay court season, this is of course a big setback for him. «Until the injury, he was considered the favourite for Roland Garros and now he has to get healthy again and play his first matches on clay.

And it is not yet clear when he will start again. »He won't play Monte Carlo. He also cancelled Barcelona, so Madrid at the earliest.