Rafael Nadal faces tumble down rankings like Emma Raducanu

Rafael Nadal faces falling out of the highest 100 if he misses the French Open in a slide down the rankings akin to Emma Raducanu. The Spaniard has endured an injury-hit 12 months and is but to disclose when he’ll return to the ATP Tour after pulling out of the Madrid Open final month.

Nadal has endured a nightmarish 2023 after failing to enter many competitions resulting from harm. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has not been seen since he was knocked out of the Australian Open in straight units by American MacKenzie McDonald within the second spherical.

The 36-year-old began the 12 months as world No 2 however has seen his rating sink within the months since after dropping most of the factors he gained throughout his renaissance firstly of 2022. He fell out of the highest 10 in March for the primary time since 2005 after lacking Indian Wells and at the moment sits at No 14, one place behind British No 1 Cameron Norrie.

However, issues might get a lot worse for Nadal if he doesn’t compete within the Rome Masters or Roland Garros. The Spaniard will face a small drop if he doesn’t compete within the Italian capital with 90 factors on the road however the greater affect can be on his preparation for the French Open.

Nadal is at the moment defending 2000 factors in Paris after successful the match for the 14th time in 2022 and can drop out of the highest 100 utterly if he doesn’t compete. Even simply reaching the quarter-finals wouldn’t be sufficient to suitably shield his rating and he would solely cling onto a spot inside the highest 50.

Should Nadal drop out of the highest 100 he would now not be granted computerized entry to Grand Slam tournaments. However a participant of his standing is unlikely to have any issues gaining a wildcard. His days as a seed can be over although that means he might theoretically play the likes of Novak Djokovic as early as the primary spherical.

Nadal’s fall down the ranks would mimic that of Raducanu. The British No 1 has struggled for kind and health since successful the US Open in 2021 and can fall out of the highest 100 for the primary time since her success in Flushing Meadow after pulling out of the Madrid Open.

Nadal is again in coaching and can be determined to keep away from an identical state of affairs. The eyes of the tennis world can be on him as he plans his come again with the King of Clay on the lookout for French Open success once more.