Rafael Nadal can expect 'decent send-off' without Roland Garros glory says John Lloyd

Rafael Nadal continues to head towards what could be his final clay court season with the Spaniard set to play the Monte-Carlo Masters in the coming weeks and injury pending endure a full swing before he retires later in the year currently. While he can expect a good send-off believes John Lloyd, Roland Garros is unlikely to be on the cards.

The ex-husband of Chris Evert, former player and current pundit and commentator Lloyd said that he sees that Nadal will certainly win some matches during his return to action on his favourite surface but doesn't see Roland Garros title in those plans.

He said the reasoning is that he is unlikely to get the time required in order to play the tennis he needs to in order to compete with the best and so it is very much all on prior injuries with Nadal not playing since Brisbane at the turn of the year with many aborted comebacks. Tickets sold super fast for Roland Garros likely with Nadal set to curtail his career at some point, but they may leave disappointed if Lloyd's prediction comes to fruition in the coming months. The proof will certainly be in the pudding when Monte-Carlo rolls around shortly quickly followed by Madrid.

"I do think we will get a decent send-off. I don't think he [Rafael Nadal] is gonna come in there, obviously knows he is not injured, but he gets himself into a decent shape. I see him winning some matches definitely, but I don't seem him winning it [French Open 2024]," said Lloyd on Tennis Channel Inside In.

"I don't think there's gonna be enough time to play the sort of tennis he needs to. But, I do think we will get a decent send-off from Rafa. I hope it's a really good one though."