Casper Ruud: Rafael Nadal could come up with ‘ridiculous level’ at RG again this year

Casper Ruud says he will not be surprised if Rafael Nadal delivers “a ridiculous level” of tennis at this year’s French Open. 

Nadal, 36, has had a rough start to the season as he is again struggling with injuries. 

Nadal, who was hampered by a hip injury at the Australian Open, hasn’t played since as he recently pulled out of Indian Wells and Miami.

Going into the clay season, there are no guarantees that Nadal will be able to play right from the start. 

But Nadal was in a difficult situation last year as well but still managed to win a record 14th French Open title.

Ruud: Nadal could produce a ridiculous level at Roland Garros 

“I don’t know, I still feel like if Dominic or I shouldn’t root for ourselves, I think we both can say that we wouldn’t be surprised if Rafa came up with some ridiculous level once again. It wouldn’t surprise me because we will probably use these weeks and these months as he is preparing for exactly, you know, Roland-Garros. You know, it doesn’t matter if he loses in Monte Carlo or if he loses in Rome or Madrid. The only thing that is probably on his mind these days is just to be fit, be healthy and be ready for Roland-Garros,” Ruud said on Eurosport’s Ruud Talk. 

Last year, Nadal was dealing with foot pain and discomfort caused by the Mueller-Weiss Syndrome. 

But Nadal didn’t want to skip the French Open and he made the call to numb his foot with anesthesia for two weeks straight. 

In the end, Nadal didn’t regret playing under anesthesia and painkillers because he was able to win the title.

Now, Nadal is again experiencing injury issues going into the clay season and French Open. 

But Nadal has proved many times that he can never be underestimated on clay and the French Open.