Rafael Nadal's bid to be fit in time for the French Open has been dealt a big blow after the Spaniard confirmed he wouldn't be playing in Barcelona this month.
After an injury plagued end to 2021, during which he also tested positive for Covid, Nadal made a stunning return to action in January. After winning the Melbourne Summer Set, he then reached the final of the Australian Open.
And despite trailing by two sets to top seed Daniil Medvedev, he fought back to take a famous win. The triumph represented an unprecedented 21st Grand Slam title for the 35-year-old, moving him one clear of rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer .