A cancelled press conference on Sunday and on Monday has brought back concerns around Rafael Nadal’s fitness as he prepares to open his Madrid Masters campaign.
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Nadal, who has had multiple injury issues over the last 12 months or so and withdrawn from or forfeited a number of matches, is suspected to have suffered a stomach bug due to which he cancelled his meeting with the media.
He was expected to talk to journalists on Sunday ahead of his second round match against Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime but that was postponed to Monday. And when it was cancelled yet again on Monday, questions were raised about his fitness.
However, Nadal did practice at his scheduled time on Monday, arriving at 2 pm local time with his coach, Carlos Moya. And if he gets back to full fitness, Nadal will now speak to the press on Tuesday.
He had appeared at the tournament site on Sunday to take part in the players’ tribute to fellow Spaniard David Ferrer. Ferrer will be playing in his last tennis tournament, having decided to hang up his racquet at the end of the Madrid Masters.
Following that tribute ceremony, Nadal returned to his hotel along with his agent Carlos Costa, his coach Carlos Moya and physiotherapist Rafael Maymo.
Nadal come into the Madrid Masters with back to back semi-final losses at the Barcelona Open and the Monte-Carlo Masters. He is yet to win a tournament this season, having earlier lost in the final of the Australian Open in straight sets as well.
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