Rafael Nadal To Hold Press Conference Amid Reports Of French Open Withdrawal

At a news conference later today, Rafael Nadal will address rumors that he plans to cancel his participation in the French Open.

As he continues to treat the hip injury he sustained at the Australian Open, Nadal withdrew from the Italian Open in Rome.

The Spanish player disclosed last month that the treatment he had been receiving had not been effective. He had planned to be healthy before the start of the clay-court season.

Nadal never entered the French Open, which he has won 14 times, without playing in at least one clay-court warm-up match.

On Thursday at 1500BST, there will be a press conference at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor, Mallorca, where it is anticipated that the 36-year-old would reveal his plans for Roland Garros.

“If he plays [the French Open] or not and the reasons, either way, will only be communicated tomorrow,” a statement from the player’s representatives read.

Speaking on Twitter about his decision to pull out of the Rome Open, Nadal said: “Despite having noticed an improvement in recent days, there have been many months without having been able to train at a high level and the re-adaptation process has its time, and I have no choice but to accept it and continue working.”

After a recent YouTube video appeared to show the struggling Spaniard leaving a practice session early, he left fans feeling less than confident about his health.

Fans speculated about Nadal announcing his retirement and uploaded emotional emojis on the YouTube channel that will broadcast his news conference later today.

One comment said, “Don’t do it,” and another, “Tennis won’t be the same without Rafa.”

With 14 French Open victories, Nadal holds the record for most victories in a single major. He is known as the “king of clay” and has an incredible 112-3 record there.

The French Open begins on May 28.