Rafael Nadal Reveals Rib Stress Fracture, He’ll Be Out 4-6 Weeks

Following a tough loss Sunday to Taylor Fritz in the Indian Wells final, Rafael Nadal revealed today on social media that he has a stress fracture in his ribs.

“As it turns out, I have a stress crack in one of my ribs and will be out for 4-6 weeks,” Nadal said. “This is not good news and I did not expect this. I am downcast and sad because after the start of the season I have had such a good time.”

Nadal returned home to Spain where he underwent tests which showed the injury.

Nadal was treated during the final and was seen in pain from some sort of chest issue. He spoke about it after the final.

“It happened yesterday night just at the end of the match last night,” Nadal said Sunday referring to his semifinal win over Carlos Alcaraz. “So finishing that late yesterday and playing today in the morning, as you can imagine, I didn’t have the chance to do many things, not even a chance to check what’s going on there.

“All the thing I can say is tough to breathe for me,” he said. “When I try to breathe, it’s painful and it’s very uncomfortable.”

Nadal has time but Monte Carlo and then Barcelona are a month away, so he’ll be right on the edge of being cleared to return. He should be good for Madrid and Rome.

The 35-year-old Nadal has begun the year 20-1.