By Ros Satar
- Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal pulls out of Roland Garros with a wrist injury
PARIS, FRANCE – Rafael Nadal, nine-time champion at Roland Garros announced in an emotional press conference that he has to withdraw from the tournament with a wrist injury.
Britwatch Tennis:
Just a day after winning his 200th Grand Slam match where he had stormed through his second round against Facundo Bagnis, he fronted a news conference admitting that he had played that match with a painkilling injection.
Via @rolandgarros
Nadal: “I have to retire from the tournament because I have a problem in my wrist that I have since couple of wks.” pic.twitter.com/cR6nRYDE4E
— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2016
“I know that I cannot finish the tournament. It’s part of life and I hope I’ll come back for many years again in Roland-Garros”
— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2016
Rafael Nadal (cont.): “This is one of the toughest press conferences in my career, probably.” #RG16
— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2016
Rafael Nadal (cont.): “I feel myself with the right motivation and the right energy to be back at Roland Garros the next couple of years.”
— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2016
Nadal was on course to face World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals and his five-time winning streak from 2010-2014 was broken by the Serbian last year in the quarter-finals. It is a tragic blow for the Spaniard who at last seemed to be regaining confidence on this surface, winning the Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo, and Barcelona, before losing in the Madrid semi-final to Andy Murray and the Rome quarter-final to Djokovic.
He admitted that he could be risking more serious damage if he attempted to play. Nadal was out of action for almost three months after Wimbledon 2014 with a right wrist injury, and this may well jeopardise his chances of a complete grass court season. Nadal is scheduled to play at Queen’s Club which starts on 13 June.
He won Queen’s in 2008 on his way to his first Wimbledon title, winning his second Slam on the grass in 2010.
With his withdrawal, compatriot Marcel Granollers advances straight to the fourth round.
Watch his Press Conference HERE (Via Roland Garros YouTube)
The third round matches for the top of the draw continue at 11am (10am BST).
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