Rafael Nadal is set to miss several weeks of action after doctors discovered he had been playing with a cracked rib.
The Spaniard enjoyed a remarkable start to the new season, going 20 matches unbeaten in a run which saw him win the Australian Open in January. But despite a valiant effort it came to an end in the Indian Wells Masters final, as he suffered breathing difficulties and could not match the American Taylor Fritz.
That problem had first been identified in his semi-final match against fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, though he was able to play through the pain and see off the challenge of his younger rival. But after suffering defeat in the final he shed more light on the discomfort he had been in while trying to maintain his unbeaten streak.
