Former world number 7, Emilio Sanchez Vicario, boldly predicted Rafael Nadal would have a great summer through Roland Garros and the Olympics.
The 22-time major winner is obviously away from tennis at the moment because he withdrew from the Indian Wells Open, which was supposed to be the latest event he would play.
His last match was the exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas, and he looked good. He looked as good as he did in Australia, where he played before that match.
Tennis isn’t the issue for Nadal, but many are skeptical whether his body can hold up. Both times he played this year, he had to take a break because he picked up a minor injury.
That’s not ideal, but his compatriot and former player Sanchez Vicario has no worries. The 58-year-old told EFE that Nadal will have a good summer through Roland Garros and the Olympic Games.
“I don’t think he will leave us. I think he will play well. I think what he has is [he] a little afraid because the operation bothers him. But if he starts competing on land he will no longer be afraid because he will start competing and if he gets in shape, I believe that at Roland Garros and the Olympic Games he will be 100 per cent at his best. If more damage is not done.”
For Sanchez Vicario Nadal, he simply has to come to terms with himself because he is very worried about his past experiences. Once he gets comfortable with that, he’ll be good.
“For me, it’s more of a battle with himself, of freeing himself to play than what he has in himself. Because when he went to Australia he played well. But he played a game that hurt him a little and then he got a lot worried. But on land It’s going to hurt a lot less.”
