Interviewed by El Larguero, Alex Corretja analyzed in detail Rafael Nadal’s prospects for 2023, a season that began with many disappointments and physical problems for the Spanish champion. Corretja explained: «Rafael Nadal’s goal is to prepare well for tournaments on clay.
I don’t think I take any risk to play the Masters 1000 on hard courts. The last few months have been difficult for him, but we will never forget what he managed to do last year. The victory in Australia was miraculous, without forgetting the victory in Paris while lame.
This is the key year for the continuation of his career. If he realizes that his body is struggling too much to keep up with the pace that a Grand Slam requires, then he will seriously think about his future. Rafa always pushes his body to the limit and he needs his body to be at 100%.
The hip is quite a sensitive area, it’s normal for him to be very frustrated.» After reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon last year, we no longer admired the best version of Nadal.
Rafael Nadal: 2023 between ambitions and disappointments
Rafael Nadal’s 2023 started in the worst way.
The Spaniard not only withdrew in the second round of the Australian Open, but also suffered a second-degree injury to his iliopsoas during his match against McDonald. The former number 1 in the world will have to stay away from the courts for about two months, another blow after the innumerable difficulties of recent times.
The 36-year-old from Manacor will be left out of the Top 5 at the end of the AO and will have to work hard to get his form back. The 22-time Grand Slam champion will certainly miss the ATP 500 in Dubai, while his presence in Indian Wells and Miami remains uncertain.
According to the latest rumors, Rafa will hardly put his body at risk to compete in the American Masters 1000. Most likely, the Iberian will take all the time necessary and return directly to the red clay of Monte Carlo. The Spaniard wants to get as close as possible to his great goal of the season, Roland Garros.
