Author: Chandra Moulee Das
According to Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev, Rafael Nadal should be a contender for the 2023 French Open title. Nadal’s injury struggles date back to the Wimbledon Championships in 2021, where he withdrew from the semi-finals against Nick Kyrgios.
Nadal’s form at the end of 2022, spanning nine matches at the Cincinnati Masters, US Open, Paris Masters and ATP Finals, saw him secure just four wins. In the inaugural United Cup, Nadal lost both his matches to Cameron Norrie and Alex de Minaur. At the Australian Open, where he was the defending champion, Nadal won his first match against Jack Draper, but suffered a straight-sets defeat to Mackenzie McDonald in the last 16.
Speaking on the sidelines of a post-match conference in Paris, Medvedev said: “I think Rafa will play the French Open, although I’m not in his body. I don’t want to speak for him. But he’ll be a favorite, even if he hasn’t played before. He’s won this Grand Slam 14 times, so he’ll be the favorite.”
On April 14, Holger Rune defeated Russian tennis player Medvedev, ending his campaign at the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters. Despite the injury struggles of Rafael Nadal, who holds a record 14 French Open titles, Medvedev, ranked number 5 in the world, believes that Nadal is still the favorite to defend his title in Paris.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic, Nadal’s long-time rival, is also dealing with an injury, having hurt his arm during a training session in Monte-Carlo. Medvedev says that the injuries to Nadal and Djokovic won’t make his quest for a second Grand Slam title any easier, including his first in Paris.