Alex Corretja opens up about Rafael Nadal's participation in Roland Garros
The former world number two won ATP tour championship in 1998
The ex-Spanish tennis star Alex Corretja, while talking to Eurosport, shed light on the defending French Open champion Rafael Nadal ahead of this year's clay court major.
The former tennis star believes that Nadal still has time to regain match-fitness but he has concerns over how his body is going to cope with the demanding surface in Paris.
“We need to wait, there’s still a little bit of time. I was thinking maybe he could play the week before and get some matches, I think he’s capable to get the rhythm in a few matches. I’m not concerned about the playing or not playing, I’m more concerned physically,” he said.
He also talked about how big of a risk it is to play again when you have just returned from an injury as there is always a chance of a new injury.
“How is he going to recover from matches? Not from this injury, from other ones that can come up. When you don’t play for such a long time it’s so difficult because of all the things that can happen," said the 49-year-old Spaniard.
The former Spanish tennis star also wishes that Rafa gets some time to prepare before the start of tournament as he believes he can get back in rhythm.
“I hope he can have a little bit of preparation for the tournament before, because if he plays two or three matches at Roland Garros, for two and a half or three hours…” he said. "He can be ready for sure, he’s Rafa."
With Nadal struggling with physical issues and turning 37 in June, Corretja was also asked about what missing Roland Garros would mean for the defending champion’s career.
“What I like him to be is healthy, because then he can play anywhere. Of course, maybe you feel that on clay, he might prefer to play Roland Garros,” Corretja said.
It must be noted that Nadal, who has had his fair share of struggle with injuries throughout his career, had to skip the ongoing Madrid Open as he had some complications in his recent hip injury. The 36-year-old Spaniard has already missed major tournaments at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Barcelona.
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