By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Rafael Nadal suffered painful setback fighting into the Indian Wells final.

The 35-year-old Spaniard announced he will be sidelined four to six weeks after suffering a stress fracture to his rib during his epic three hour, 12-minute Indian Wells semifinal triumph over 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz.

More: Fritz Fights Off Nadal

Three-time Indian Wells champion Nadal played the final against Taylor Fritz with the injury and took a seven-minute medical timeout for treatment following the first set of his 6-3, 7-6(5) defeat to the 20th-seeded American. That loss snapped Nadal's 20-0 start to the season, the best season start of his storied career.

Nadal said he was "sunk and sad" announcing the injury and expected recovery time on Twitter.

Hola todos, quería anunciaros que he vuelto a España y fui enseguida a visitar a mi equipo médico para hacerme las pruebas tras la final de Indian Wells que jugué con molestias.

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) March 22, 2022

Al final resulta que tengo una fisura por estrés en una de las costillas y estaré entre 4 y 6 semanas de baja. No son buenas noticias y no me esperaba esto. Estoy hundido y triste porque tras el inicio de temporada que he tenido tan buena.

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) March 22, 2022

Llegaba a una parte muy importante del año con muy buenas sensaciones y buenos resultados. Pero bueno, siempre he tenido ese espíritu de lucha y superación y lo que sí haré es tener paciencia y trabajar duro tras mi recuperación. Una vez más agradecer a todos el apoyo.

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) March 22, 2022

"As it turns out, I have a stress crack in one of my ribs and will be out for 4-6 weeks," Nadal wrote on Twitter. "This is not good news and I did not expect this.

"I am sunk and sad because after the start of the season I have had such a good time."

Dr. Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, Nadal's physician, said an MRI confirmed the injury.

"Rafael Nadal presents after performing the relevant MRI and CT tests, a stress fissure of the third left rib arch that occurred in the semifinal match on Saturday in Indian Wells," Dr. Ruiz-Cotorro said in a statement. "The estimated time for his return to sports activity is 4 to 6 weeks."

The 21-time Grand Slam champion pulled out of the Miami Open earlier this month. Nadal was set to take a month off before aiming to return to action at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, set for April 9-17th however that now appears unlikely given his injury.

"I reached a very important part of the year with very good feelings and good results," Nadal said. "But hey, I've always had that fighting and overcoming spirit and what I will do is be patient and work hard after my recovery. Once again thank everyone for the support."


Former world No. 1 Nadal was clutching at his chest at times during his semifinal win over Alcaraz and his final loss to Fritz.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Rafa Nadal (@rafaelnadal)

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Rafa Nadal (@rafaelnadal)

After the title match, Nadal said the painful rib issue made breathing tough at times.

"When I'm breathing, when I'm moving it's like a needle all the time inside here, no?" Nadal said. "I get dizzy a little bit because it's painful. It's a kind of pain that limit me a lot.

"Is not only about pain, I don't feel very well because affects to my breathe."