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Rafael Nadal’s doctor has given a positive update on his fitness, saying he is training well and is close to returning to action. The 22-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t played since his highly emotional doubles defeat alongside a retiring Roger Federer at the Laver Cup.
At the time, Nadal was still dealing with the abdominal injury that forced him to retire ahead of his Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios and continued to hamper him at the US Open, where he was knocked out by Frances Tiafoe. Meanwhile, the Spaniard has also beed adjusting to life as a new father after his wife gave birth to his firstborn son earlier this month. Ever the competitor, however, Nadal is already plotting his return, and according to his doctor Angel Cotorro, things are progressing well.
“Rafa is fine, very happy with his fatherhood,” he told Spanish newspaper El Comercio. “Once that situation is fulfilled, which logically takes you out of the day to day, he is training well and following the schedule for the end of the season. I think the secret is hard work, passion for the sport, trying to improve every day, and having outstanding physical tennis qualities. He is a historic player for our sport and there he continues to give us joy.”
Nadal has yet to confirm his end-of-year schedule, but the Paris Masters and Nitto ATP Finals would be obvious targets, the former kicking off on October 29 and the latter two weeks later.The only appearance the Spanish great has already committed to before the end of the year is his participation in an exhibition event in South America in late November, where he will be joined by this year’s French Open and US Open finalist Casper Ruud.
