Rafael Nadal is in contention to win the 2023 French Open, despite his recent injuries, Marion Bartoli said.
Questions marks have been raised about whether Nadal will be able to mount a title defence at Roland-Garros this season as the 36-year-old continues to struggle with an injury. Although, recent admissions from Nadal's coach, Carols Moya, and the 22-time Grand Slam winner's uncle Toni, suggest that he will be fit enough to play in Paris.
Furthermore, several players, including Nadal's compatriot and world number two Carlos Alcaraz, have warned about ruling the 36-year-old out of a return at the French Open. When speaking to the Super Moscato Show, former Wimbledon champion Bartoli agreed that Nadal shouldn't be discounted from the French Open this season.
"Alcaraz is one of the favorites but I can't put him as the only favorite, it's not possible. Firstly because his compatriot (Nadal) has won a few Roland Garros and I had the chance to interview his uncle, Toni: I think that if Rafa manages to get through the first week, he will be the huge favorite to go win the tournament."
If Nadal is fit enough to enter the 2023 French Open, he is unlikely to be seeded as one of the favorites. The 14-time French Open winner has not played since January and has fallen down to 14th in the ATP rankings.
However, Bartoli believes that Nadal's drop down the rankings is unlikely to affect him if he takes to the court at Roland-Garros in late May.
"His ranking will be quite low for him so he can play a big seed pretty quickly, from the third round onward. It will be difficult, but it's Rafael Nadal, it's Philippe-Chatrier and it's Roland-Garros. If there is a place in the world where he is able to transcend himself, it is here."
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