Mouratoglou Rules Out Possibility Of Nadal Missing Roland Garros
ATPSunday, 16 April 2023 at 12:00
Updated at Tuesday, 22 April 2025 at 19:59
Rafael Nadal has yet to make a return, and many wonder whether there is a chance he could miss the Roland Garros this year.
According to noted tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou, the chance that Nadal would miss Roland Garros is virtually zero. While the Spaniard still not being back is a bit concerning, it simply might be a plan to arrive in the best possible shape in Paris, which should give him the highest chance of actually winning the event.
That's the ultimate goal for Nadal, according to Mouratoglou, who spoke to Eurosport at the start of this year's clay-court season.
"Rafa has one goal, to win more Grand Slams than anyone else. He knows that his number one chance is the French Open and I think he told himself that he wanted to arrive in Paris in the best shape possible."
"But it's harder and harder every year because his body is very worn out, more than other players. He gave 1000% in training and matches. That means that his annual playing time is getting shorter every year."
The latest news about Nadal came a few days ago when he officially withdrew from the Barcelona Open, an event he has won 12 times and rarely misses unless he has to. In the meantime, he has been spotted on a clay tennis court, obviously working his way back.
Mouratoglou can't say for certain that Nadal will be 100% physically ready for Roland Garros, but he does expect him to make the trip to Paris and give it a go. The picture will be much clearer when the Spaniard actually gets a few matches in.
"I think his goal is still Roland-Garros, which is why he's been preparing on clay for a long time. He'll be in shape tennis-wise. Will he be physically fit? I can't say, it will depend on how he manages his injuries."
"He'll have to have a few matches, but I'm not really worried about him. He will be ready for Roland-Garros. The rest of the year is something else... If he does well at Roland-Garros, he's done well for the year and he often plays pretty well on hard courts."
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