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Roland Garros and 2023 return in limbo for Rafael Nadal after Spaniard withdraws from Rome

The 22-time major champion has never played the French Open without contesting a lead-up European clay-court event.

ByTENNIS.com

Published May 05, 2023

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Will Rafael Nadal miss Roland Garros for the first time since winning on his debut in 2005? The odds of the disheartening scenario increased Friday when the 22-time major champion announced he was withdrawing from next week’s Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome.

Nadal shared the update on social media, casting further doubts about when—and if—he’ll be able to compete again this season.

“You all know how much it hurts me to miss another one of the tournaments that have marked my professional and personal career because of all the love and support of the Italian tifosi [fans],” he said.

The 36-year-old hasn’t played since losing in the second round of the Australian Open to Mackenzie McDonald. During his time in Melbourne, the Spaniard picked up a hip injury and has been forced to push back his return timeline on multiple occasions.

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On March 20, Nadal dropped outside of the Top 10 for the first time since entering the elite group on April 25, 2005, an improable stretch of 912 successive weeks. He's been spotted practicing in recent days, though the sessions weren't at a desired intensity.

“Despite having noticed an improvement in recent days, [I have] spent many months without having been able to train at a high level,” continued Nadal. “The recovery process has its own schedule and I have no choice but to accept it and continue working.

“A hug to all.”

Nadal has never previously arrived in Paris for the French Open without any European clay-court tournaments under his belt in the lead up to the season’s second major. Last year, the left-hander triumphed for a record-extending 14th time on Court Philippe Chatrier when he dismissed Casper Ruud in the final.

He's been seeded inside the Top 4 on all but two occasions at the Paris major, including in 2022 when his No. 5 seeding saw Nadal land in Novak Djokovic's quarter of the draw. If he plays at the end of this month, the current world No. 14 will be seeded outside of the Top 8 for the first time in 19 appearances. With it, potential clashes with Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz are on the table for as early as the round of 16.