Nadal tests injury in front of packed stands in Paris

It was Nadal’s first public appearance since suffering a recurrence of a chronic foot injury in his Italian Open third round loss to Denis Shapovalov last week

Rafael Nadal tested out his injured foot in his first practice at the French Open on Wednesday without any obvious discomfort. 

Nadal, the 13-time champion at Roland Garros, delighted fans who packed two sides of the 15,000-capacity Court Philippe Chatrier in the baking Paris sun.

Welcomed by the watching Stefanos Tsitsipas, the world number four who was runner-up at the tournament in 2021, Nadal, 35, hit with Spanish compatriot Jaume Munar.

It was Nadal’s first public appearance since suffering a recurrence of a chronic foot injury in his Italian Open third round loss to Denis Shapovalov last week. “I’m not injured, I am a player living with an injury. That’s it,” Nadal told reporters in Rome.

“It’s something that is there unfortunately and my day by day is difficult. I am trying hard but of course it is difficult for me. A lot of days I can’t practice.”

On Wednesday, Nadal gave no indication that the effects of the injury had followed him to the French capital as he practiced for two hours. The Spanish star, chasing a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam title, will learn his first round opponent in Thursday’s draw.

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