'See you in Madrid', Rafael Nadal announces he'll return for Madrid Open next week
- Planet Sport writer
- 26 April 2022
After starting the season with a 20-match winning streak, Rafa Nadal was forced to the sidelines with a fractured rib.
With an Australian Open and Mexican Open title already added to his trophy cabinet this season, Rafa Nadal will return for next week's Madrid Open.
The 21-time Grand Slam winner took to Twitter to announce his return, after he missed the Barcelona Open due to injury.
Nadal was in scintillating form at the start of the season, and built up a 20-match winning streak that saw him win the Australian Open and Mexican Open and then reach the final of the Indian Wells.
A new record broken by Rafael Nadal:
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) April 26, 2022
✨ 17 years in a row in the Top 10 ✨
WOW pic.twitter.com/iqovNxMPAP
However, the Spaniard ended up losing the showpiece in straight sets to Taylor Fritz, and frequently struggled breathing throughout the tournament.
After receiving treatment mid-match and battling through the pain, Nadal revealed after his loss that he had suffered a fractured rib.
That ruled him out for six weeks, meaning he was out of both the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open.
With the clay season now in full swing, Nadal would've been eager to return and add to his silverware haul, and he's back fit just in time to participate in Madrid.
A pesar de llegar justo de preparación y ser difícil, tengo muchas ganas de jugar y jugar en casa ya que las oportunidades son pocas.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) April 26, 2022
A tratar de hacerlo de la mejor manera posible 💪🏻
Nos vemos en Madrid 😉 pic.twitter.com/tiD5m6lWle
"Despite arriving just before and preparation being difficult, I really want to play and play at home since the opportunities are few. To try to do it in the best possible way. See you in Madrid," said Nadal on social media.
Despite winning it five times throughout his career, the Madrid Open is actually Nadal's least successful clay tournament, but after his last success in 2017 Nadal will want to mark his return with a win.
