Rafael Nadal tipped for early injury return as French Open runner-up shares the…

Rafael Nadal has been given a boost in his injury recovery as former world No 3 David Ferrer shared his belief that the Spaniard would be ready for his most successful part of the season, the clay swing. Nadal picked up a rib injury in Indian Wells and is set to miss the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Openas a result but Ferrer has tipped his former rival to return sooner.

Nadal had enjoyed a career-best start to the season, winning his first 20 matches and picking up titles in Melbourne, Acapulco and the Australian Open. His run came to an end in the Indian Wells final when Taylor Fritz defeated him 6-3 7-6(5) to win his maiden Masters title after the world No 3 picked up an injury in the previous round.

Rafael Nadal tipped for early injury return as French Open runner-up shares the…

The 21-time Major champion needed a medical time out during his semi-final win over Carlos Alcaraz and later found out that he had suffered a stress fracture to one of his ribs, forcing him out of competition for four to six weeks. It means he will be sidelined for the Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo and the ATP 500 in Barcelona at the start of the clay-court swing.

However, retired former pro-turned-Barcelona Open tournament director David Ferrer believes his former rival could be ready in time for a full clay season. The former world No 3 reached his only Grand Slam final at the French Open in 2013 where he was defeated by his compatriot, and has maintained a good relationship with Nadal.

“I am calm, really,” the Barcelona tournament director said of the possibility Nadal could miss the event, per AS. “I think Rafa has time to recover before the gravel tour.”