‘First Contact’ – Rafael Nadal Finally Begins Clay Court Season Preparations After Injury Hiatus

Rafael Nadal had one of the most remarkable starts to his 2022 season. Returning to the tour after a long injury layoff, the Spaniard won three back-to-back hardcourt titles including his recording-breaking 21st Major win at the Australian Open. He was on course for his 4th consecutive title win at the Indian Wells Masters, but suffered an injury setback in the final and subsequently succumbed to his first and only loss of the 2022 season.

At the Indian Wells Masters, Nadal played through pain in the final against Taylor Fritz. Apparently, he suffered a stress fracture in his ribs, putting him on the sidelines for four to six weeks. Subsequently, he missed the recently concluded Monte Carlo Masters and the ongoing Barcelona Open.

However, it seems like the King of Clay is back! Recently Nadal posted an update about his return to light training.

“Today’s first gentle workout after four weeks without stepping on a tennis court. What excitement to step onto clay again,” he captioned the two pictures he tweeted on his profile.

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The clay season is incomplete without Rafael Nadal

The Spaniard’s achievements on clay are unparalleled. In fact, such is the extent of his success on this surface, that there is no player active or otherwise, anywhere close to catching up with him, any time soon. He has won the French Open a record 13 times, which is the most number of times any one player has won a single tournament. Not only that, his records at the events leading up to Roland Garros are also stupendous!

Rafael Nadal has won the Barcelona Open a record 12 times, the Monte Carlo Masters 11 times, and the Italian Open 10 times.

But, he has been out of the circuit for a few weeks now, and he is also recovering from an injury. While that might have cast a shadow on his Roland Garros campaign, it seems that his preparations are back on track.

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Nadal is anticipated to return to the tour at the Madrid Masters that will get underway in the first week of May. Despite his mammoth success on the red dirt, it remains to be seen how the Spaniard fares upon his return to the tour.