RAFAEL NADAL MAKES FRENCH OPEN COMMENT AFTER SHUTTING DOWN COMEBACK REPORTS

is hoping to be ready for the French Open this year despite admitting that his injury comeback remains unknown. The Spaniard recently rubbished reports that he had confirmed a return at the Monte Carlo Masters but still wishes to be back in action on the clay.

Nadal has been sidelined for more than two months with a leg injury he picked up at the Australian Open. The world No 13 has started to up his training routine in recent weeks but recently revealed that he still hadn't committed to a comeback date following reports that he confirmed his participation in Monte Carlo.

While the 22-time Major champion is yet to announce his return, he provided fresh hope after the French Open tournament director visited his Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. During the trip, Nadal admitted that he was hoping to be competitive in time for his most successful event to try and add a 15th Roland Garros crown to his trophy haul.

"I really hope to see you again this year at Roland-Garros, and I'll try to be competitive," the 36-year-old told tournament boss Amelie Mauresmo and French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton.

The pair visited his academy to present Nadal with a smaller replica of the statue of him that was unveiled on the French Open grounds in 2021. Speaking with Mauresmo and Moretton, the Spaniard said: "It is a great privilege to welcome you here in my academy.

"You know how much Roland Garros and this place mean to me. "Having you here is a very special moment, and I can't thank you enough for coming, along with some of the staff with whom I am very close at Roland Garros."

Nadal also said what it meant to him to have the statues both on the French Open grounds and in his academy, adding: "Thank you so much for sending this replica of the big one at Roland-Garros. For me, it is incredible to have my sculpture at Roland-Garros and now I have one here, and that means a lot."

If all goes to plan, Nadal will hope to be back on tour in time for the French Open but for now he is continuing to train at his academy. "I'm following my course and I don't know when I'll play again, that's the truth. I'm in a phase of increasing work. If I knew when I was going to return, I would say so, but I don't know," he said during an appearance in Palma earlier this week.

His comments came after the Monte Carlo Masters tweeted out to announce Nadal's participation after their ticket list originally contained an asterisk by his name. "We're eager to welcome the legend @RafaelNadal," the tournament account wrote last week.

But Nadal quickly shut down the claims, saying: "I don't know who gets this information, but obviously if it were true I would confirm it, but unfortunately I can't confirm it."

2023-03-30T18:44:53Z dg43tfdfdgfd