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via Getty

via Getty

Rafael Nadal will be missing the US Open for a second consecutive year. His foot injury has forced him to pull out of the major event along with the what remains of the 2021 season. However, former player and Eurosport expert, Alex Corretja believes that Nadal is not done yet.

In a recent interview with Joan Solsona of Marca, Corretja presented his views on Nadal’s injury. Moreover, he is optimistic about Nadal’s future and believes he will win another Grand Slam before retiring.

USA Today via Reuters

Rafa’s career is not over: Alex Corretja on Rafael Nadal

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Rafael Nadal has had to go through some gruesome activities this year in order to maintain fitness. He has been suffering a foot injury since the beginning of June this year, after his semifinal loss at the French Open. However, he did take a break from tennis in between, skipping the Wimbledon Championships as well as the Olympics.

The breaks have hampered his rhythm and flow throughout the year. He was looking good at the beginning of the year and could have won a lot this year. “It makes me unsettled to see how he will be after so many months without competing, but he is optimistic. I know, from his surroundings, that he is eager and that this is not over,” said Alex in an interview with Marca. (Translated via Google Translate)

Rafa’s career is not over and I am confident that he will win another ‘Grand Slam’,” said Alex.

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Alex has concerns for Nadal

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In order to overcome an injury, players miss out on multiple tournaments. As a result of absence from tournaments, these players break their rhythm for the year and can get out of touch. In Nadal’s case, he was not looking the same when he made a comeback at the National Bank Open and Citi Open. He had to withdraw from the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open as well before playing a single game.

I understand that you miss the season because you want to find solutions to the problem you have. What worries me is that then he has to come back from a hiatus and is getting older,” said Alex.

When you have been without a player for so many months, other problems come to you or the same ones come back to you as happened to Federer. You lose a lot of competition rhythm and that does worry me,” said Alex.

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Nadal will be back next year as he expects a return at the Australian Open in February. His legacy will remain as big as ever and with the perfect fitness, his 21st Grand Slam title does not look far fetched.

Read More: “Lots of Things That Can Go Wrong”: Rod Laver Believes Novak Djokovic Shouldn’t Talk About Calendar Slam