"It hurts me that he is going through this, just like it happened to Federer": Lopez hopes Nadal gets deserved send-off instead of 'lame doubles match'

Feliciano Lopez is upset about the way Rafael Nadal's hip injury unfolded reminding him of how Federer's knee started to trouble him towards the end of his career.

Roger Federer's career was ultimately ended by a persistent knee issue that could not be fixed even with surgeries. He retired from the sport last year and veteran Feliciano Lopez sees some similarities in the way Nadal's hip injury unfolded. He hopes that it doesn't do to Nadal what the knee injury did to Federer:

“I worry more as a friend. At the tennis level, obviously I am concerned that he can play again and that he can arrive at Roland Garros prepared, which is the main objective. But it worries me more on a personal level, that a player who has been triumphing all his life is now going through this, so I hope he recovers soon."

The Madrid Open tournament director added:

“It hurts me that he is going through this, just like it happened to Federer, who had to retire without being able to play, playing a half lame doubles match, although it was quite a reason, but I don't think it was what he had dreamed of after all that he has achieved."