Nadal out of action for 4-6 weeks with rib injury

Palma, Spain, Mar 22 (EFE).- Rafael Nadal has announced that he will be sidelined for between four and six weeks with a stress fracture of the left third rib he sustained during his Indian Wells semifinal win over Carlos Alcaraz.

The Spaniard underwent MRI and CT tests in Barcelona on Tuesday a couple of days after US Taylor Fritz ended his 20-match winning streak in the Indian Wells final.

After losing the first set, Nadal required medical assistance as he struggled to breathe. “When I’m breathing, when I’m moving it’s like a needle all the time inside here,” he said at a press conference after his first defeat of the season.

“This is not good news and I did not expect this,” the 21-Grand Slam champion posted on Twitter after learning the diagnosis.

“I am devastated and sad because after the start of the season that I have had so good, I reached a very important part of the year with very good feelings and good results.

“I’ve always had that fighting and overcoming spirit and what I will do is be patient and work hard after my recovery,” the 35-year-old added.

The injury is a setback for the world N.3 ahead of the clay season as the Monte Carlo Masters will get underway on 10 April, while the French Open starts on 22 May. EFE

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