Rafael Nadal Scheduled To Play Montreal And Cincinnati

Written by: Staff on 15th July 2013

Rafael Nadal Scheduled To Play Montreal And Cincinnati

epa03758168 Rafael Nadal of Spain returns to Steve Darcis of Belgium during their first round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 24 June 2013. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

As speculation again begins about the state of Rafael Nadal’s troublesome left knee, the player’s uncle and coach Toni Nadal has confirmed the world no.4 who suffered the ignominy of a first round Wimbledon exit at the hands of Belgian Steve Darcis will contest both the Masters 1000 Series legs of the US Open series in Montreal and Cincinnati before Grand Slam action begins again at the end of August in New York.

Last year Nadal missed the entirety of the North American swing because of the tendinitis in his knee and there were great fears of a repeat as the Majorcan was ordered to rest after his Wimbledon demise.

But Nadal has been back in training on his Mediterranean island for more than a week and his Uncle Toni confirmed the hard courts, thought to be so demanding on the 27 year-old’s body, are very much in their sights.

“Rafa will come back,” insisted Toni Nadal. “He has no fear of the hard court surface – he has nothing more to lose. Currently Rafa is doing physical training, but no racquet workouts. The break is important – he has played enough.”

This means the entirety of the world’s top 40 male players have been entered for Canada’s Rogers Cup with the men this year designated to Montreal and the women heading to Toronto.

Qualifying play is set to begin on August 2 with the main draw running from August 5 thru 11 at Montreal’s Uniprix Stadium and tournament director Eugene Lapierre in a statement: “Our tournament has a history of attracting the best of the best and this year is no different with every single player in the Top 40 committed to play our event.

“Our fans are in store for a remarkable week of exciting tennis combined with an electric atmosphere and several special ceremonies and presentations.”

Meanwhile Toni Nadal has admitted in an interview with his namesake, Spanish journalist David Nadal that he regular contravenes the ATP World Tour rules that outlaw on-court coaching and aims direct verbal comments at his nephew during matches.

“I talk to Rafa during matches,” he admitted. “I know that it’s not allowed but I think that at my age I have nothing to hide.”

In addition Uncle Toni said he felt for Rafa’s injury problems and other concerns, there was no need in the Nadal camp for a sports psychologist. “In the tennis world, those who are mentally stronger are also technically stronger,” said the Majorcan coach.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Cincinnati Open, Montreal Open, Rafael Nadal, Tennis News, Toni Nadal