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A four-time Caja Magica champion Rafael Nadal is yet to confirm his participation at the season's fourth Masters 1000 event. Rafa will travel to Madrid to fulfill his commitments to the main sponsor, and we should expect his decision about competing in around five days.
Rafa visited doctor Angel Ruiz Cotorro in Barcelona on Monday, followed by his coach Carlos Moya, physio Rafel Maymo and agent Carlos Costa. They have yet to press releases, and we are still waiting to see if Rafa will play in Madrid.
By some reports, Nadal trains at home in Mallorca injury-free, but only he knows if it's enough to return to competition in Caja Magica. Rafa will not make rush returns following a severe injury, wishing to compete at his best once he steps on the court.
A 22-time Major winner has not played since January, experiencing a left hip injury at the Australian Open and skipping six tournaments.
Rafael Nadal is yet to decide about his Madrid Masters participation.
Nadal made an incredible return following a foot injury at the start of 2022, conquering the Australian Open and adding his 22nd Major crown in June in Paris.
The pain in his foot was still there, but Nadal endured all the efforts thanks to injections and secured his 14th Roland Garros crown. The Spaniard reached the Wimbledon semi-final, seeking his third consecutive Major title before withdrawing after a seven-millimeter abdominal tear.
Nadal played only nine matches by the end of the year and lost four in a row for the first time since 2009! The Spaniard failed to make a fresh start in 2023. Rafa lost both United Cup matches from a set up and entered the Australian Open with no confidence or rhythm.
To make things worse, the Spaniard injured his left hip in the second round against Mackenzie McDonald. Mackenzie beat Rafa in straight sets, delivering his earliest loss at Majors since 2016! The Spaniard had to miss Doha and Dubai in February, and it was clear that the recovery process would require more time.
Nadal did not travel to the USA for Indian Wells and Miami, losing 600 points for the last year's final in the desert and dropping out from the top-10 after almost 18 years! Rafa had to miss his beloved Monte Carlo and Barcelona, just like a year ago, working hard on his return and preparing it for Madrid or Rome.
Nadal's ultimate goal for 2023 is Roland Garros, and he wants to arrive in Paris in the best possible shape.