Eight days before Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal faced a familiar foe: a lingering injury to his left scaphoid that has troubled him once again at a critical moment. The veteran star, who has long dominated on clay and claimed 13 titles this season, arrives at Paris as the heavy favorite to win a 22nd Grand Slam, a milestone he has chased in a year marked by both resilience and pain.
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Shapovalov knocked Nadal out of Rome in a dramatic match
After a tough exit in Rome following a limp at Foro Italico, Denis Shapovalov advanced to the round of 16 with a 1-6, 7-5, 6-2 scoreline. The question now is whether Nadal will triumph again in Paris or if his bid will stop short of Roland Garros, given the ongoing injury and the grind of a long season.
Watching Nadal push through the night in Rome was painful for many fans and observers. The moment captured a fierce determination that has defined his career, even as the body pushes back with warnings. Nadal has repeatedly said that Paris remains firmly in his sights despite the pain, insisting his focus is on competing and testing himself in the world’s premier clay court tournament.
“My head is still up for the challenge. I don’t know what might happen in the next few days. What could happen in a week, I really don’t know,” Nadal said, expressing confidence while acknowledging the strain in his foot.
Injury update
He added that, for now, his priority is to manage the issue and keep playing if possible. He noted improvements in mood and form against Shapovalov, in a match that saw a flawless first set before the pain in his foot began to surface. The next steps include careful rest and strategic decisions about his schedule to preserve long-term health while chasing the dream of another Paris title.
At this stage, Nadal plans to return to Manacor to assess, rest, and recover from the persistent Muller-Weiss syndrome that has shadowed parts of his career. Now approaching 36, the condition has tested his durability and raised questions about his future in the sport.
Last season’s injury forced him to pause for six months, with a stint of surgery and a dramatic comeback that saw him conquer the Australian Open with vigor. A rib issue in Indian Wells earlier that year had hinted at vulnerability, yet he rode a streak of four consecutive championships before the break interrupted his momentum.
Tempo and preparation
Nadal had hoped to lay down a stronger path on the European clay tour, but time and the clock conspired against him. The calendar conspired, causing him to miss Monte Carlo and Barcelona as he sought to balance recovery with the desire to compete. The plan to return to Madrid for match practice carried the risk of overexertion, yet the mindset remained to push forward where possible.
“I’m going against the clock,” Nadal acknowledged, recognizing the need to increase pace and accumulate court time. Some wondered if the best course would have been to wait and train more quietly, but the drive to perform on Parisian dirt remains strong. The reality is that Nadal will arrive at Roland Garros with only a handful of matches on clay, a rarity in his career and a test of his renowned resilience.
He explained, “I have what I have. I’m not injured, I live with the wound. That’s what it is. I’m limited if I don’t take pain relief.” The candid remarks reflected the daily balance between performance and sacrifice, a line many elite athletes walk under the watchful eye of fans and medical staff alike. There will come a day when the choice will be to rest, but for now the priority is to compete and chase happiness on the court, even if pain remains a companion.
Paris 5th seed scenario
If Nadal participates at Roland Garros, the draw could become more complicated. He overtook Shapovalov in Rome but dropped to world number five, with Stefanos Tsitsipas moving up as a potential obstacle. An avoidance strategy would aim to steer clear of the top four until at least the semifinal stage, though the draw still holds the possibility of crossing paths with top contenders later in the tournament. Djokovic, Medvedev, Zverev, and Tsitsipas sit among the top seeds, while Carlos Alcaraz sits just behind them, potentially shaping Nadal’s path through the rounds. In any case, Paris promises to be a stern test for the veteran champion, who remains determined to keep competing at the highest level despite the physical toll.