Rafael Nadal injury blow 'a positive for him' as Chris Evert explains benefits

Rafael Nadal's injury sustained at the Sunshine Swing might actually be "a bonus", according to tennis legend Chris Evert. The Spaniard wants to take his French Open title back this year, but his preparations for the event have been disrupted after cracking a rib in California.

Nadal was playing through the pain of his injury at the Indian Wells Masters, and even managed to beat his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final to maintain his unbeaten run. But the pain proved too much as he lost in the final to home favourite Taylor Fritz.

He received treatement during both those matches, and was clearly in severe pain in the final. Despite giving a positive update after the match, upon visiting a doctor back in his native Spain he learned that he had been playing with a cracked rib.

As a result, he missed the Miami Open and will also be absent for the start of the clay season. It is a blow for Nadal, who will miss out on important practice ahead of that major at Roland Garros.

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Despite that setback, Evert believes the time off will be beneficial to Nadal's chances after a busy start to 2022. "I think with his record this year, he has lost one match so far," she told Eurosport.

"He had that streak of so many tournaments and so many wins, and he has had a wonderful start to 2022. I think this injury is a hiccup. I think any time Rafa can rest and take time off, I think is a bonus, is a positive for him. What comes into effect is the years and years and years before. It is not only what happened three or four weeks ago.

"He has a myriad, or an abundance, of experience and confidence from years and years and years of pulling himself out of tough