Roland Garros in doubt? Rafael Nadal admits short-term return unlikely due to physical problems in damning verdict

Rafael Nadal was cheering on his hometown club RCD Mallorca at the Copa Del Rey against Athletic Club. But his home fans seemingly won't get to cheer him this clay court season.

Nadal made the honest admission that Barcelona Open and Madrid Open despite entering both of them so far is unlikely and that his body simply won't let him play.

Speaking to Movistar, he said that he doesn't rule out anything at this point but that it is very much unlikely that his home fans will see him later this month. This also throws into doubt his participation in the French Open after initially planning for a whole clay court foray.

He withdrew from the Monte-Carlo Masters this past week with Nadal having issues serving at the moment and fighting a long standing back and abdominal problem.

"My body won't let me, it's getting difficult for me. It's been a difficult year and a half, I'm trying every day. I have things to solve and the reality is that at the moment I'm not being able to put myself in a position to compete, it's hard," he said.

"On a personal level everything is good, on a professional level it is difficult, and you also have to weigh the bad moments and those that you would never have imagined experiencing," he added.

"I don't rule out anything, not even being in Barcelona or Madrid, but at the moment I am not being able to get there due to physical problems," he said.

"Many people have mental problems and I also have them when in my work I can't manage to fight for my goals but no, it's physical, I have abdominal problems since I returned from Australia, we are trying things, we are going day by day," he added.