Novak Djokovic Could Be Missing ‘Biggest Rival’ Rafael Nadal At French Open

Rafael Nadal competing in — and usually winning — the French Open has become one of the major rites of spring for close to two decades.

Nadal, 36, has won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles in Paris, including last year.

Yet he may be forced to miss the tournament this year due to an injury in his lower abdomen and upper right leg that he suffered at the Australian Open in January. He announced in a video posted to social media Thursday that he will miss the Madrid Open beginning next week as he continues to try to recover.

“It’s been a while since I communicated directly with you,” he said in a video posted to social media Thursday (via Google translate). “It has been a difficult few weeks and months. As you know I suffered a major injury in Australia.

“I have no choice but to try to have the right attitude throughout this time, try to give myself the opportunity to compete in one of the tournaments that remains of the clay season and I have no choice but to work and be with the right mentality.

“A very strong hug to all and as soon as I have news, I will inform you. Thank you!”

Nadal previously pulled out of Monte Carlo and Barcelona, leaving the Italian Open starting May 8 as the last major tune-up for Roland Garros, which runs May 28-June 11.

Nadal is tied with his top rival Novak Djokovic at 22 Grand Slam singles titles, two more than the retired Roger Federer.

Without Nadal, No. 1 Djokovic would have an easier path to win a record 23rd major, although world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz looms as a dangerous threat. Djokovic himself was upset by fellow Serb Dušan Lajović, 6-4, 7-6(6), in the quarterfinals in Serbia on Friday.

“Well, best rival that I ever had, biggest rival that I ever had,” Djokovic said of Nadal in February. “We played, what, 59 times against each other, I mean, the most that any two players faced each other in the history of the game.”

He added: “We still keep going strong. I’m happy that we both are challenging the young guns for the biggest titles. And I think that probably there is also a big reason why we still compete on a high level is because, you know, he goes because I’m still going, or other way round.

“I think that’s great about this rivalry,” he continued. “And I feel like many people around the world who follow sports and tennis, they still want us to keep going, until we can’t go anymore!” he laughed.

Nadal’s last major came in Paris a year ago over Casper Ruud with King Felipe VI of Spain looking on proudly. He recovered from a cracked rib suffered in Indian Wells to win the second leg of the Grand Slam after capturing the Australian Open.

But he injured his abdominal muscle at Wimbledon and had to withdraw ahead of a much anticipated semifinal against Nick Kyrgios.

At the U.S. Open last fall, he was upset in the fourth round by American Frances Tiafoe in what was the biggest win of the American’s life.

At this year’s Australian Open, Nadal suffered the hip injury in the second round against American Mackie McDonald and lost in straight sets.

Now it appears he’s in danger of missing his annual rite of spring in Paris, which would leave Djokovic without his top rival but with a greater chance to lift the trophy.