French Open boss' startling admission about Rafa Nadal 'concern'
French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo has admitted Rafa Nadal isn't a certainty to play at Roland Garros, but has her "fingers crossed" that he will.
The 21-time grand slam champion limped out of the Italian Open last week in a shock loss to Denis Shapovalov, with a chronic foot injury rearing its ugly head once again.
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Speaking to reporters this week, Mauresmo admitted there is some "concern" that Nadal won't be able to play, saying the tournament would “miss” him if that happens to be the case.
“I followed what Rafa experienced in Rome and he knows himself better than anyone," Mauresmo said.
"It’s an injury that he’s been living with for years.
“So, of course, there’s a concern for him first, because we know how important coming to Roland Garros is to him and it’s probably shaped all of that, all of his legend, in a way.
“So, we’re following it… I would say carefully, but there’s nothing we can do.
"We’re just obviously all crossing our fingers to get the best players in the draw.
“Then, what would it mean if he were to eventually not play in the tournament? Obviously, he would be a miss.”
Nadal has won a record 13 French Open titles and a men's record 21 majors.
However his foot issues have sparked some concerns about his immediate future.
"I hurt my foot again with a lot of pain," Nadal revealed after his loss at the Italian Open.
"I'm a player living with an injury. It's nothing new. It's something that is there, unfortunately. Day by day is difficult.
"Lots of days I can't practise with the proper way again."
However he did move to reassure fans that he's doing everything in his power to be right for Roland Garros.
“[It’s] still the goal, in one week and a couple of days. I’ll still keep dreaming,” he said.
“It’s true that during the French Open, Roland Garros, I’m going to have my doctor there with me.
"That sometimes helps because you can do things.”
Rafa Nadal opens up on chronic foot issue
Speaking earlier this month, Nadal said he is constantly in pain because of the foot issue but there isn't much he can do about it.
“If you saw me on a daily basis, you would not be worried (about limping) because I limp on many days of my life,” he said at the Madrid Open.
“I always have pain in my foot, especially after playing a three-hour match or long training. So it’s normal that now I am walking a little badly.
“I have a chronic foot injury which has no treatment. That’s part of my life.”
The Spanish champion missed the entire second half of the 2021 season because of injury.
He then started the 2022 season on a 20-0 streak before suffering a rib injury in the Indian Wells final against Taylor Fritz.
After missing the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open, he played in Madrid and Rome in preparation for Roland Garros.
He lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in Madrid, before going down to Shapovalov in Rome.
with agencies
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