Rafael Nadal on course for return to action in the spring after medical examination in Barcelona

Rafael Nadal has said the timeframe for his return to action remains unchanged following medical tests on Thursday.

Nadal returned to his native Spain and visited the Clínica Tenis Teknon in Barcelona for medical assessment.

The test results were as expected, meaning Nadal remains on his previous rehabilitation schedule – albeit further examinations will be done in three weeks’ time.

“Today I have been at the Clínica Tenis Teknon in Barcelona where they have carried out some tests on me,” Nadal wrote on Twitter. “The Melbourne results are confirmed and the deadlines remain the same.

“We established the treatments to follow and in three weeks they will carry out new tests to see the evolution.”

Nadal signed off his message with a pray emoji.

The injury ruled Nadal out of the Dubai Tennis Championships in February, and it is extremely doubtful that he will be fit for the spring hard court season in America – starting at Indian Wells on March 8.

It is likely that his focus will be on returning to fitness for the clay campaign, with the goal being to defend his French Open crown at Roland Garros.

At 36, Nadal is in the autumn of his career and Boris Becker told Eurosport the 22-time Grand Slam winner’s days are numbered.

“We’ve been talking about the change of generation for a long time, and then Nadal comes along last year and wins not only in Melbourne but also Paris,” Becker said on Eurosport Germany’s Matchball Becker show.

“The question was: Will he play until he’s 40? I don’t think so.

“An injury like that is hard, and at this age, it takes even longer to get back into shape. I hope and pray that he will get well soon and that we will see him looking fresh again in Paris at the latest, but I think his days are numbered.

“He is not only a tennis legend, he is a sports legend. He is one of the most important sportsmen of the last 25 years. He has changed tennis and made it even more popular in his home country of Spain.

“He can become the president if he wants to. I think there would be a big gap if Rafa doesn’t play anymore, but I think he will pick up a racquet again.

“The clay-court season will be his priority. If he is fit, he is still my favourite for the French Open, but even Rafael Nadal gets older eventually.”

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