Exclusive: Rafael Nadal can be ready in time for Roland Garros but fresh injury problems a concern – Alex Corretja

Alex Corretja believes Rafael Nadal still has time to regain fitness for Roland Garros but has concerns about how the champion’s body would cope with the rigours of a Grand Slam.

The 36-year-old is the defending champion in Paris but he has missed the entire clay court season, including events in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid, as he recovers from a hip problem.

Speaking exclusively to Eurosport, two-time French Open finalist Corretja admitted he was taken aback by the news.

“We need to wait, there’s still a little bit of time. I was thinking maybe he could play the week before and get some matches. But I didn’t expect that one from Rome,” said the Spaniard.

“I was surprised already when he pulled out from Madrid, but this one, everybody was saying he was pretty much OK to play, he’s practicing, and unfortunately, he said no so that means he still needs more time.”

Corretja continued: “I think he’s capable to get the rhythm in a few matches. I’m not concerned about the playing or not playing, I’m more concerned physically – how is he going to recover from matches? Not from this injury, from other ones that can come up.

“When you don’t play for such a long time it’s so difficult because of all the things that can happen. I hope he can have a little bit of preparation for the tournament before, because if he plays two or three matches at Roland Garros, for two and a half or three hours…

“He can be ready for sure, he’s Rafa.”

With Nadal struggling with physical issues and turning 37 in June, Corretja was also asked about what missing Roland Garros would mean for his career.

Nadal is known as the ‘King of Clay’ due to a dominance on the surface that has seen him win a record 14 titles in Paris, but his compatriot doesn’t think missing the clay season would mean the end of the road.

“What I like him to be is healthy, because then he can play anywhere. Of course, maybe you feel that on clay, he might prefer to play Roland Garros,” Corretja said.

“But what about if he starts on grass, maybe he feels looser and goes for it and doesn’t make many long rallies. Like what happened last year at Wimbledon, he reached the semi-finals.

“He’s ready to play anywhere and if not, hard court season. we can’t just say ‘Rafa is missing clay, we’re missing Rafa the whole year. No, Rafa can play on any surface.”

The French Open runs from May 22 to June 11.

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