Rafael Nadal vacations with wife and son on injury layoff – Pictures
Rafael Nadal and his family, including son and wife Maria Francisca Perello, were recently spotted having fun on vacation.
Due to an injury, the Spaniard has not played since his exit from the Australian Open in 2023.
Arthroscopic surgery was performed on Nadal’s strained left hip flexor in June.
Nadal has at least been able to use the downtime to spend time with his wife and young son.
The Mallorcan also posted further vacation-related tidbits on his Instagram stories this week.
Nadal will not return to the ATP Tour this season.
However he is hopeful of a farewell run in 2024.
Nadal seems to be enjoying his time with family switching off from tennis.
For many Nadal’s injury struggles have obscured the so-called GOAT race between himself and Novak Djokovic.
Mats Wilander noted that Nadal’s absence might also hurt Djokovic.
“I would think for Novak Djokovic, he’s most probably the most disappointed player in the whole tournament,” Wilander said on Eurosport.
“Because surely he would like to win his 23rd – his third French Open – by beating Rafa Nadal along the way.
“It’s such a big time in tennis right now in terms of the history of the game and the history of being the greatest ever.
“And when we don’t get Novak because of the Covid vaccine situation and now we don’t get Rafa because of injury, the race is kind of weird in my mind.
“I mean, I’ve always said it. I hope in many ways that Rafa and Novak end up on the same number of Grand Slams, and then Roger Federer will be mentioned in the same sentence as the greatest ever anyway.”
Wilander feels that Djokovic is now just about certain to win the Grand Slam race against Nadal.
“I mean, I think if we’re counting the greatest just in terms of Grand Slam tournaments, then I’d say it’s very possible that Novak is going to be the goat,” Wilander said.
“And of course, if he wins in Paris in 20 days, he becomes the huge favourite to win Wimbledon. And of course, if he wins Wimbledon, suddenly he’s got three majors in a row.
“Now we’re talking about somebody who’s so great and obviously is going to be the goat because he has another chance to win the calendar Grand Slam.”
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