"I have a stress crack in my rib and I will be out for 4-6 weeks. This is not good news and I didn't expect it. I am depressed and sad because after the start of the season I have had so much fun."
Rafa Nadal announces it on social media, who upon returning to Spain after losing the final of the Californian tournament of Indian Wells ("which I played with great discomfort", he writes) underwent examinations and visits that highlighted the fracture that imposes him prolonged stop.
After the final lost with Fritz, Nadal had reported a strong discomfort in his chest, the feeling of "having a needle stuck in his body" which prevented him from breathing "and tests have highlighted the cause.
"I arrived to play a very important part of the season with excellent sensations and good results - continues the post of the Majorcan champion -. I am always supported by a fighting and winning spirit and what I will do now is to be patient and then start working hard again after the healing. Once again thank you all for the support. "
Nadal should therefore skip the clay court tournaments scheduled for April, including Monte Carlo, and at risk his participation in the Internazionali d'Italia scheduled for mid-May, a week before the start of Roland Garros (22 May).