Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal had a rather tricky Australian Open both struggling with injuries. Djokovic managed to win the slam while nursing a tricky abdominal injury. Nadal used to struggle with his lower back.

Djokovic’s injury and the French Open

After winning the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic had another MRI that confirmed his abdominal tear increased from 1.7 cm to 2.5 cm. Fortunately, that injury is not serious, but the world no.1 needs to rest to heal.

During a recent interview with Tennis Majors, Novak Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic disclosed the fact that it is rather plausible that the world no.1 will be back only on the occasion of the clay season. This means that Nole will skip the Miami Open (22nd of March), which will also make sense since he has always stated that he feels shattered when he is away from his family for long during this pandemic.

Ivanisevic added: “Now it depends on the injury as well, but there is no need to rush it. The only tournament that he would play is maybe Miami.”

“I think his next MRI is in two weeks, so we will see. There is no need to take any risks, I would rather see him one hundred percent ready for the clay season in order to try to go after the Roland-Garros title once more,” he added.

French Open record

Focussing on the clay-court season will help Novak to have more chances of winning his second French Open. Novak won the French slam in 2016, and he was the runner-up on 4 occasions (2012, 2014, 2015, and 2020). Last year, Djokovic was annihilated in the final by an outstanding Rafael Nadal (6-2 6-0 7-5). Highlights

Will Nadal skip also the Miami Open?

It seems that Rafael Nadal will also skip the next tournaments on hard to get ready for the clay-court season. Nadal decided to skip Rotterdam, saying that he was still struggling with his back. In theory, Nadal is expected to play the Miami Open, but it is highly possible that he will skip the American tournament to focus on clay trying to win his 14th French Open.

Novak Djokovic in 2021

Now the world no.1, Novak played his last match on the 21st of February when he defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-2 6-2 in the final of the Australian Open to win his 82nd career title.

At the moment, during this season the Serbian has an overall 9-0 match record. Novak clinched 1 title at the Australian Open.

 

Rafael Nadal in 2021

Currently ranked no.2, Nadal played his last match on the 17th of February when he was overcome by Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6 2-6 7-6(4) 6-4 7-5 in the quarter of the Australian Open (draw).

This season the Spaniard has a 4-1 match record.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal squared off 56 times. Their current record is 29-27 for Djokovic. Previously, the last time they squared off, Rafael Nadal won 6-0 6-2 7-5 in the final in Paris (French Open) in October 2020.

In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

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