Former world No. 2 Alex Corretja is happy to see Rafael Nadal return to the practice court but added Madrid might not be the best place for the record 21-time Grand Slam champion to make his comeback. In mid-March, Nadal sustained a rib stress fracture at the Indian Wells Masters.
Nadal has been out since as he was forced to withdraw from the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open. On Monday, Nadal returned to the practice court. Nadal’s uncle Toni revealed the former world No.1 is aiming to make a comeback in Madrid.
Madrid is a place where Nadal has “just” five titles as the conditions there definitely make it harder for him to play his game.
Corretja on Nadal potentially returning in Madrid
“I think the big decision for Rafa will be whether to go to Madrid or not.
This is probably the most difficult part for Rafa because I believe from what we have heard and what we have seen that he is training. In a normal situation, he could be ready to play in Madrid, but is Madrid the ideal place for Rafa’s return? Knowing that it’s at altitude and during the clay season that’s where he usually felt the least comfortable because he has so much power and he’s not in control the ball as much as he wants, he has opponents who hurt him in Madrid.
So, is he going to be ready for Madrid? Maybe he’s ready, but I’m not sure it’s the right choice to come back in Madrid. If he is healthy he will probably go but I think he will have to think about what is best for him in order to be perfect for Roland Garros because although it would be great if he could be in Madrid and it would be amazing if he could be in Rome, he can’t hide that his main goal is to be in top form for Paris,” Corretja explained to Eurosport, per We Love Tennis.
