Andy Murray’s former coach Mark Petchey has backed Rafael Nadal to regain top form ahead of the clay court season, which will get underway next month in Monte Carlo.
World No. 2, Nadal, pulled out of the Indian Wells and Miami Masters due to the same hip injury, which forced him to retire from his quarter-final match against Marin Cilic at the Australian Open in January. And Petchey lauded the Spaniard for his decision.
According to Petchey, Nadal has made a smart decision. By not participating in the two 1000 events, by and large, the Majorcan has given himself the best possible chance to completely recover from the aforementioned issue, which has been bothering him since the beginning of the season.
“When you have to continually keep coming back from these kind of problems it is pretty draining,” Petchey told Sky Sports.
“I am sure that it is just a little disheartening more than anything else. [However] I have no doubt that he can get back to where he was at the end of last season assuming his body will allow him.
“He is obviously one of the most determined competitors that the game has ever seen and I expect him to be a force on the clay.”
He said: “When you look at Rafa’s numbers on clay last year in terms of how he was hitting the ball, speed and placement – it was his best clay court season ever. It was certainly his best Roland Garros ever.
“I am sure that some of the reason for not playing both Indian Wells and Miami is to give him the best chance possible of staying fit and healthy.
“Clay is obviously a lot softer and kinder on his body than other surfaces. He is just going to give himself the best shot at the next major of the year.
“All in all a very smart decision and totally understandable but he is obviously a big loss for both tournaments.”
