Two big names believe Rafael Nadal will be ready for French Open despite his injury woes

Rafael Nadal: (Image Source: Twitter)

Amid a string of injuries, two Tennis legends have backed Rafael Nadal to play the French Open and think the Spaniard is even favorite to win the tournament. The 22-time Grand Slam winner has played just four matches this year and also withdrew from the Barcelona Open after suffering a hip injury in the Australian Open second round clash against Mackenzie McDonald.

Everyone expected Nadal to start his clay-court season at this week's Barcelona Open, but the 36-year-old declared in a Twitter statement that he was 'still not prepared'. Instead, the veteran may begin preparing for the French Open and next week's Madrid Open, which is followed by the Italian Open.

Meanwhile, despite Nadal's injury woes, World No. 4 Daniil Medvedev expects Nadal to compete at French Open and considers him the favourite. Speaking to Tennis 365, the Russian star said, “Although now Rafa is not as well ranked. I might meet him before, but for the time being."

"I believe Rafa will play the French Open, although I’m not in his body. I don’t want to talk for him. But he will be a favourite, even if he didn’t play before. He won 14 times this Grand Slam, so he will be the favourite.

It doesn’t change anything for me, but if I go far in the tournament, then the draw becomes easier if there are not those two guys (Nadal and Novak Djokovic) who won 44 Grand Slams," he added.

He wants to arrive in Paris in the best shape possible: Patrick Mouratoglou

Renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou also believes that Nadal will compete in the Roland-Garros. The Frenchman said Nadal's target is Roland-Garros and that is why he has been preparing on clay for a long time.

"Rafa has one goal, to win more Grand Slams than anyone else. He knows that his number one chance is the French Open and I think he told himself that he wanted to arrive in Paris in the best shape possible," Mouratoglou said.

"But it’s harder and harder every year because his body is very worn out, more than other players. That means that his annual playing time is getting shorter every year. I think his goal is still Roland-Garros, which is why he’s been preparing on clay for a long time. He’ll be in shape tennis-wise," the 52-year-old added.