I am confident Rafael Nadal can recover in time for the Barcelona Open: David Ferrer
In a recent interview with AS.com, David Ferrer spoke about the possibility of Rafael Nadal playing at the 2022 Barcelona Open.
David Ferrer, the new tournament director of the Barcelona Open, said he was confident Rafael Nadal could recover from his rib injury in time to defend his title at the ATP 500 event.
鈥淚 am calm, really. I think Rafa has time to recover before the gravel tour," said Ferrer.
Nadal suffered from chest pain during his final clash against Taylor Fritz at Indian Wells. Later, his medical tests in Spain revealed that the Spaniard suffered a crack in his third rib. After a medical examination, the 35-year-old announced on Twitter that he would be out of action for at least 4-6 weeks.
Rafael Nadal ended with heavy chest pain after Indian Wells final match.
#Nadal
The same day that Colbrelli collapses with cardiac arrest at the Catalunya Tour.
Are we gonna keep pretending this is normal? https://t.co/Ji90F65M6X
Al final resulta que tengo una fisura por estr茅s en una de las costillas y estar茅 entre 4 y 6 semanas de baja. No son buenas noticias y no me esperaba esto. Estoy hundido y triste porque tras el inicio de temporada que he tenido tan buena.
This rules Nadal out of the Monte Carlo Masters, which begins on April 11 and also casts doubt over his participation at the Barcelona Open, which kicks off on April 18.
Not a good news for Rafael Nadal after a great start to 2022 馃檨
The 21-time Grand Slam champion may have to miss Monte-Carlo Masters.
We wish Rafael Nadal a speedy recovery 馃挭
#RafaelNadal #Tennis #Injury https://t.co/UFW42d5WNu
In the same interview, Ferrer also spoke about Carlos Alcaraz's prospects at the Barcelona Open. The former World No. 3 lauded Alcaraz for his performances at the Australian Open and Rio Open and stated that the Spaniard is one of the favorites to win in Barcelona.
What. A. Moment.
馃檶馃檶馃檶馃檶馃檶
@alcarazcarlos03 is your 2022 Rio Open champ! https://t.co/gGCBBv7niE
鈥淗e has options to win. Already in Australia, he was among the best, he won a 500... Winning a tournament in this category won't come to him again," added the former Spanish player.
Rafael Nadal has won the Barcelona Open title 12 times
Nadal has lifted the Barcelona Open title on a record 12 occasions in 16 appearances at the tournament. He has a 66-4 win-loss record at the ATP 500 event. He also enjoyed a 41-match winning streak at the tournament from 2005 to 2014, which was brought to a halt by Nicolas Almagro.
2005 馃弳
2006 馃弳
2007 馃弳
2008 馃弳
2009 馃弳
2011 馃弳
2012 馃弳
2013 馃弳
2016 馃弳
2017 馃弳
2018 馃弳
2021 馃弳
2022 ?
Can Rafael Nadal defend his Barcelona open this time ?
#BCNOpenBS #Tennis https://t.co/jse0Uob7Tw
Last year, the Spaniard defeated the likes of Kei Nishikori, Cameron Norrie, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Stefanos Tsitsipas en route to the title.
Although Nadal's chances of playing at the Barcelona Open look slim following his rib injury, his name is still there on the entry list.
Monte Carlo update:
OUT: Nadal
IN: Paire
Next: Griekspoor
However, given that Nadal just withdrew from Monte-Carlo, the Spaniard may opt out of Barcelona as well to give himself time to fully recover before the French Open. He could return at Madrid or the Rome Masters.