Rafael Nadal, the 36-year-old tennis superstar, has announced that he will miss the Madrid Masters 1000 due to a persistent hip injury, casting doubts over his future career. Nadal has not played any matches on clay this year, his favorite surface, and will now miss yet another major tournament. He suffered the hip injury at the Australian Open in January and has been out of action for 14 weeks, much longer than initially expected. The situation has not improved despite following medical advice, leaving Nadal uncertain about his return to the game.
Nadal hopes to celebrate his 37th birthday in June with a record 15th Roland Garros title, thereby surpassing his current record of 14. However, with the injury continuing to trouble him, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to compete in the tournament. He has already missed several major tournaments, including the Monte Carlo Masters, where he holds the record for the most titles won.
If Nadal does return for Roland Garros, he will have missed an entire season on clay, potentially putting him at a disadvantage against his opponents. Nadal, who has been plagued by various injuries throughout his career, is staying optimistic and focusing on staying mentally strong during his recovery. He acknowledged that he cannot provide a timeline for his return and that the situation remains uncertain.
Nadal has suffered from chronic pain due to a foot condition since he was 18 years old, and his long absence from the game has caused him to drop out of the top 10 of the ATP rankings for the first time since 2005. Despite these setbacks, Nadal remains one of the most beloved and accomplished tennis players in history.