Rafael Nadal set to miss French Open for first time in 19 years as he succumbs to injury

Rumours are swirling around the tennis world after Rafael Nadal called a press conference, with many already knowing what the Spanish champion will say.

Spain's Rafael Nadal takes rest during the break in his men's singles match against Mackenzie McDonald of the US on day three of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 18, 2023. (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP)

Reigning champion Rafael Nadal is expected to miss the French Open for the first time in 19 years due to injury, The Sun reports.

The Spaniard – who celebrates his 37th birthday next month – is the King of Roland Garros, having won a record 14 singles championships there.

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Yet he has not played competitive tennis since losing to American Mackenzie McDonald in the Australian Open second round.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion suffered a grade 2 tear in his iliopsoas muscle – the main flexor of the hip joint – triggering his Melbourne exit in January.

It was initially expected he would only be sidelined for six to eight weeks but the issue has stubbornly refused to heal quickly.

Spain's Rafael Nadal was injured at the Australian Open. (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP)

Nadal has had to miss playing major tournaments in Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and this week’s Italian Open in Rome.

In a social media video posted in April, Nadal revealed his team were searching for alternative treatment in a race against time to be fit for an appearance on court in the French capital.

He has now called a press conference for Friday morning AEDT at his Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, where it is expected he will announce his decision to skip an event that he has dominated like no other sportsperson.

Some reports that Rafael Nadal will miss Roland Garros.

A press conference to be hold this week at the Academy.

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) May 17, 2023

BREAKING:

If this source (@relevo) is accurate in their information, Rafael Nadal is not playing Roland Garros. pic.twitter.com/vSXuZz5fvg

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 17, 2023

The French Open is set to begin on Monday, May 29 but the draw for the tournament will take place on Friday May 26 AEDT.

A men’s competition without the presence of Nadal for just the second time would be a significant boost for Serbian Novak Djokovic – who is chasing a record 23rd Slam – and incoming world No1 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain.

Nadal missed most of the clay-court season in 2004, including that year’s French Open, with a stress fracture in his left ankle.

Rafael Nadal holding his trophy after his first victory at the tennis French Open in 2005 and holding his trophy after his 14th victory at Roland Garros on June 5, 2022 in Paris. (Photo by THOMAS COEX and Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)

Yet the following season, two days after his 19th birthday, he won the tournament on his debut, beating Argentinian Mariano Puerta in the final on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

His record on the Parisian grounds is astonishing – he has only lost three times in 115 matches and thrashed Casper Ruud in last year’s final – though he did withdraw from the 2016 third round with a broken left wrist.

Friday’s press conference may also shed some light if it is possible for him to return to the scene ahead of Wimbledon, which starts on Monday, July 3.

Nadal reached the SW19 semi-finals in 2022 but pulled out of a semi-final clash with Australian Nick Kyrgios due to a torn abdominal muscle, confirming the news in a press conference.

- This article originally appeared on The Sun and was republished with permission

Originally published as Rafael Nadal set to miss French Open for first time in 19 years as he succumbs to injury