Rafael Nadal has confirmed his return! Rafael Nadal, 22 times winner of a Major, will participate in the third Masters 1000 of the season, in Monte-Carlo, for the first time since the Australian Open.
Nadal injured his left hip in Melbourne, revealing grade 2 iliopsoas and missing out on Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells and Miami
. After two weeks of playing without moving much, Rafa has increased the pace of his training sessions, working hard on his game and hoping for a fresh start in the Principality.
Nadal has 73 wins and 6 losses in Monte Carlo, where he made his debut in 2003, aged 16, before becoming the dominant figure two years later. Rafa won 11 titles between 2005 and 2018, going down in history as the most dominant player at a Masters 1000.
Nadal is training at home in Mallorca, working on his game and hoping to play competitively in the next two months and prepare for Roland Garros, his ultimate goal.
Rafa was in excellent position to finish the previous season on top after conquering the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
The veteran has taken the lead in the ATP Race despite injuries and setbacks and has set his sights on winning a third consecutive major title at Wimbledon.
The Spaniard knocked out Taylor Fritz after an incredible five-set set in the quarter-finals, prevailing in over four hours despite apparent problems. Rafa revealed a seven millimeter abdominal tear and retired ahead of the semi-final duel with Nick Kyrgios.
Eight months later, this tournament remains Nadal’s last notable tournament.
Rafael Nadal will take part in the Monte-Carlo tournament again in April.
The Spaniard had three US Open victories before losing in the fourth round to Frances Tiafoe, which sidelined him for two months.
In November, after a long break, Nadal failed to find the rhythm, losing four consecutive matches for the first time since 2009! The fight for the top spot at the end of the year became an impossible mission, and Rafa opted for a slack season, hoping for a fresh start in 2023, similar to the one he had a year ago.
Instead, he has only played four matches this season, lost three and sealed his fate in the top 10 after 18 years! Although not feeling his best, Rafa gave it his all to defend his Australian Open title.
He dominated young Briton Jack Draper in the first round and faced Mackenzie McDonald in the second. The American proved too strong and took a 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 win for a third-round berth.
Rafa hurt his left hip in the final moments of the second set, but he refused to give up and gave it his all in the third. However, he suffered a late break which propelled his rival to the top and cost him almost 2000 ATP points.
After further examinations, Nadal revealed a grade 2 iliopsoas injury which forced him to miss four hard court tournaments in February and March. Rafa is back on the practice court, picking up the pace and wanting to get back to his best at Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Paris.
