Mats Wilander admits worry that Rafael Nadal won't come back at all after his latest injury setback which saw the legendary Spaniard withdraw from the Monte-Carlo Masters only a day before the draw is due to take place.
Wilander spoke to Eurosport after the announcement that Nadal isn't currently ready to play. He has now aborted comebacks at the Australian Open, Qatar Open and Indian Wells as well as Monte-Carlo as the doubts mount about his final year. But the only solace is many see Nadal as doing this to give himself the best chance of a Roland Garros farewell. With Madrid, Barcelona and Rome to come in the next few weeks, that remains the true acid test for Nadal.
“I think that the best part of Rafael Nadal’s tennis right now is that he’s really trying. He’s very keen to come back,” he told Eurosport. "I like that he’s not pushing himself unless he’s feeling very close to 100% because if he injures himself past a certain point, he’s not coming back.
"He’s 38 years old this year. He’s not going to come back. There’s no way. You can’t come back at 42. I think he’s playing it carefully.”
The Swede added: “I think the only thing that I would like to see from Rafael Nadal is win a few matches on clay before the French Open, and then please show up at the French Open.
"If he is at 80% of his ability, I would love to see what he can do to a lot of the other guys, and I would just love to see him finish his career at the French Open.
"Of course, I’d prefer not to see him finish his career at all, but am I worried? Yes. At the same time, no, because he’s able to practice. Why? Because he’s more relaxed in practice than when you start playing matches.
"He knows this and it’s likelier to injure yourself in matches. But it’s worrying for Rafael Nadal fans because we really, really, really want to see him play one more French Open.”
"My body simply won’t allow me. And even if I am working hard and making the maximum effort every day with all the will to play and compete, the truth is that I can’t play today. You have no idea how hard this is for me to not be able to play these events." Rafael Nadal 🥺
