Rafael Nadal remains a doubt for the 2022 Roland Garros finals, but the event organiser Amelie Mauresmo is still hopeful that the Spanish player can compete in Paris this year.
After experiencing an injury setback at the 2022 Indian Wells, Rafael Nadal struggled once again at the Italian Open. The 21-time Grand Slam champion cruised past John Isner in the first round before losing in straight sets against Denis Shapovalov in the following round.
Nadal looked uncomfortable during the defeat against Shapovalov, raising concerns about his fitness to compete at the French Open in 2022. The Spanish player has won 13 titles at the Roland Garros and won four in a row between 2017 and 2022 but he lost in the semi-final to Novak Djokovic last season.
With the 2022 French Open just one week away, the 36-year-old faces a race against time to recover in time for the clay-court Grand Slam. When speaking to Eurosport about Nadal's potential admission, Mauresmo said Rafa is the only person who really knows whether he will be 100% fit.
"I followed what Rafa experienced in Rome. And he knows himself better than anyone. It's an injury that he's been living with for years. So, of course, there's a concern for him first because we know how important coming to Roland-Garros is to him and it's probably shaped all of that, all of his legend, in a way."
"So we're following it. I would say carefully, but there's nothing we can do. We're just obviously all crossing our fingers to get the best players in the draw. Then, what would it mean if he were to eventually not play in the tournament? Obviously, he would be a miss."
If he's fit to compete, Rafael Nadal is certainly one of the biggest favourites to win the 2022 Roland Garros. The Spanish great has an esteemed history in this major competition and showed consistent early-season form before his injury setback.
Rafa won his 21st Grand Slam title at the 2022 Australian Open before winning in Acapulco and making the Indian Wells final. However, the Spanish player suffered a defeat against US opponent Taylor Fritz in California.
Even if Nadal makes it to the French Open this season, he will face extremely tough competition. His old rival Djokovic and up-and-comer Carlos Alcaraz will be in the draw, so the Spaniard will have to be at his best to lift his 22nd Grand Slam in Paris.