Federer: Nadal missing French Open would be ‘brutal’ for the sport

Nadal has been dealing with a hip injury he suffered at the Australian Open in January and fears that the Spaniard may miss the Paris Grand Slam grew after he pulled out of this week’s Italian Open.

Published : May 08, 2023 11:05 IST , BENGALURU - 1 MIN READ

FILE PHOTO - Nadal has competed at the French Open every year since winning the first of his men’s record 22 major titles in Paris in 2005. The claycourt major begins on May 28.
FILE PHOTO - Nadal has competed at the French Open every year since winning the first of his men’s record 22 major titles in Paris in 2005. The claycourt major begins on May 28. | Photo Credit: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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FILE PHOTO - Nadal has competed at the French Open every year since winning the first of his men’s record 22 major titles in Paris in 2005. The claycourt major begins on May 28. | Photo Credit: AP/Alessandra Tarantino

Roger Federer said he hopes Rafa Nadal will recover in time for the French Open and that it would be a “brutal” blow for tennis if the 14-time Roland Garros champion is absent this year.

Nadal has been dealing with a hip injury he suffered at the Australian Open in January and fears that the Spaniard may miss the Paris Grand Slam grew after he pulled out of this week’s Italian Open.

Nadal skipped last week’s Madrid Open and also missed tournaments at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

“It would be brutal, it would be tough for tennis if Rafa isn’t going to be there,” 20-time Grand Slam winner Federer told  Sky Sports on Sunday at Formula One’s Miami Grand Prix.

“I still hope so, I saw he pulled out of Rome, so I wish him the best.

“Obviously, Novak (Djokovic) hasn’t been playing that much, so I hope he’s going to be strong as well and then all the young guys coming through as well,” added Federer, who retired from tennis last year.

Nadal has competed at the French Open every year since winning the first of his men’s record 22 major titles in Paris in 2005. The claycourt major begins on May 28.

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