Rafael Nadal latest update: Spaniard exerts power in his groundstrokes on clay as he continues recovery journey ahead of planned comeback
On his way to recovering from injury, Rafael Nadal has once again been seen practicing his groundstrokes on clay.
The Spaniard's rough patch has continued since he won his 22nd Grand Slam title at the 2022 French Open in June. An abdominal muscle tear during Wimbledon forced him to withdraw before his semifinal clash with Nick Kyrgios. The injury stuck with him until the US Open, where he lost to Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round.
Just when it seemed that he was finally injury-free, an iliopsoas muscle tear in his left leg during his second-round clash against Mackenzie McDonald at the 2023 Australian Open crushed his hopes of defending his title. While he was expected to return by mid-March, the former World No. 1 announced his withdrawal from both Indian Wells and the Miami Open a few days ago.
Nadal is now preparing to make a comeback in the clay season, beginning next month. Although he is yet to recover completely, the 36-year-old has started training on his favorite surface. On Saturday (March 11), he posted a video in which he can be seen hitting forehands and backhands, accompanied by his signature grunts. This is the second such video in the last few days.
On February 28, the Mallorcan took to social media to update the tennis world on his recovery status, revealing that his doctors advised him to begin his gym sessions and physiotherapy in order to return strongly.
"It’s been a while since I don’t communicate with you. Took my time off, started rehab, gym and physiotherapy as instructed by the doctors. Getting ready to come back the in the best conditions," he tweeted.
It’s been a while since I don’t communicate with you. Took my time off, started rehab, gym and physiotherapy as instructed by the doctors. Getting ready to come back the in the best conditions. https://t.co/DdRiH4aUyE
Must be scary to go out against Rafael Nadal on clay: Daniil Medvedev
After his second-round win at the 2023 BNP Paribas Open, Daniil Medvedev remarked that facing Rafael Nadal on clay was probably the biggest challenge in tennis. Although the two players are yet to meet each other on clay, the Russian acknowledged the Spaniard's dominance on the surface, while expressing his wish to beat the 36-year-old someday.
"I didn't play Rafa on clay. Rafa on clay is probably the worst and best challenge in tennis," Medvedev said. "When I say worst, it's because he lost, what, I don't know, 10 matches? I'm not even sure he lost 10. I mean, last year, he was losing a little bit more in tournaments like Rome and Monte-Carlo."
"But, yeah, I will be honest, I'm scared to play Rafa on clay. In a way I want to try it, and for sure I will fight to win, but that must be scary to go out against Rafa on clay."
Nadal and Medvedev have met six times on the tour so far, with the former leading 5-1 in the head-to-head.