With the Olympics knocking at the door, good news regarding Rafael Nadal has surfaced! It comes from the renowned broadcaster and sports commentator, Chris Fowler. The Spaniard, who remained sidelined from tennis for almost a year (2023) due to his hip injuries, has been struggling with his form on-court lately. Amid this, questions regarding his Olympic endeavors loomed large. However, a keen observer and follower of Nadal’s career in tennis, Fowler’s recent news on the 22-time Grand Slam Champion’s hip condition has heightened the excitement among fans worldwide. 

Fresh from his trip to Mallorca, a 61-year-old ESPN broadcaster offered a glimpse into his visit to the Rafa Nadal Academy. Posting a picture with the former World No. 1 on his account, Fowler wrote about his experience of meeting Rafael Nadal (he was there for the graduation ceremony in his academy), whom he had known for 19 years. “I got a tour of his huge academy and international school, the @rafaelnadal museum, watched his practice, and had a nice chat with him and coach Carlos Moya,” he captioned the picture. Next came the good news!

Further adding, he continued, “Rafa says his hip is feeling OK and after the unlucky draw at Roland Garros, he’s training hard to be ready for a return to Paris for the Olympics. Wishing him no further setbacks!!” After a disappointing loss at the French Open draw against Alexander Zverev, the 14-time winner at Roland Garros announced that he is going to skip the upcoming Wimbledon tournament. Instead, the two-time Wimbledon winner will be focusing on his alleged last Olympic game, which is set on clay this year (Roland Garros).

The King of Clay, who skipped multiple tournaments this season (the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and Monte Carlo), stating that “his body won’t allow him” has had a rough couple of years since 2022. His surgically repaired hip didn’t do him much favor, as a micro tear further troubled his hip. Although, after taking a hiatus in 2023, he came back this year, his hip problems didn’t subside. His lagging form in Barcelona, Italy, and France further underscored it. On top of that, he has also hinted at his potential retirement this year. 

Therefore, fans want to see more of his performances on-court this year. However, concerns about his hip also saddened fans worldwide. Therefore, the recent news about the improvement in his hip has ignited a new sense of enthusiasm among fans. Not only that, but the fact that he is going to play doubles with this season’s French Open winner, Carlos Alcaraz has added to the excitement even more!

Rafael Nadal hopes to be a “good partner” for Carlos Alcaraz at the Olympics 

Rafael Nadal has earned two Olympic gold medals in his illustrious two-decade-long career, one in singles and the other in doubles. Will he be able to achieve another one this year? Well, the chances are high. Although in singles he will have to battle on his own, for doubles he will be partnering with World No. 2, Carlos Alcaraz at the Olympics. And the 38-year-old player is hopeful about his partnership with the 21-year-old player.

“I’m going to try to arrive as well prepared as possible. I haven’t played doubles for a long time, but Carlos is in a fantastic moment after winning in Paris, so I will try to arrive as best as possible and as prepared as possible to be a good partner for him,” he said in a recent interview. To represent and take their country, Spain, forward in the competition, the two Spaniards are all set to bring their best game on-court in July, when the Olympics will begin!