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Rafa is not coming back
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 05.04.24. | 14:26
According to Mats Wilander
As each tournament came closer, Rafael Nadal declined his participation. The last time he picked up a racket was in Brisbane at the beginning of January, and then he announced that he would not play at the Australian Open.
So he skipped Indian Wells, Miami, all the smaller tournaments, and everyone believed that this was just part of his plan, so that he would be healthy and ready to welcome the portion of the season played on his favourite clay surface. However...
Rafa announced yesterday that he will not play in Monte Carlo either. And with that, the hopes that he will run again on the field of Roland Garros, his favorite tournament, seem slimmer. Therefore, Matts Wilander is convinced that we will not see the Bull from Mallorca playing professionally either in Paris or after that.
"The best thing about Nadal is that he really tries hard and has the desire to come back. I like the fact that he does not push himself at all costs, but wants to return to the field only if he is 100% ready. Because if he gets injured again after a certain point, he won't be able to come back. But honestly, he turns 38 this year. And I don't think he's coming back. There is no chance," Wilander told Eurosport.
The Swede believes that Rafa will not play in Paris purely for the sake of it, but only if he can fight until the very end of the tournament.
"I would like to see Nadal win a few matches on clay before Roland Garros and then show up in Paris. If only he was at 80 percent readiness, so he could see what he can do against the others. I would also like him to end his career at Roland Garros. Of course, it would be best if he didn't have to finish it now. Am I worried about him? I am. And at the same time I'm not, because he can train. Although, people are much more relaxed in training sessions than in matches".
"My body simply won’t allow me. And even if I am working hard and making the maximum effort every day with all the will to play and compete, the truth is that I can’t play today. You have no idea how hard this is for me to not be able to play these events."
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) April 5, 2024
Rafael Nadal 🥺 pic.twitter.com/W3QTVVYLZ4
A somewhat confused Wilander believes that Rafa is afraid that he will get injured again if he goes out on the field without being at 100 percent of his capabilities.
"Rafa is aware of everything, including the fact that there are high chances of him getting injured again during the matches. But it's worrying for his fans, because they really, really want to see him at Roland Garros again," Wilander underlines.
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