"For last 6 years, people are saying Rafael Nadal will no longer win French Open" - Casper Ruud picks Spaniard as favorite at Roland Garros 2023

After proving doubters wrong for years, Rafael Nadal could once again defend his title at the 2023 French Open, believes Casper Ruud.

Despite struggling with numerous injuries throughout his career, Nadal has built a reputation for continuing to come back and adding titles to his cabinet. He missed the entire second half of the 2021 season due to a recurring foot injury. As fans thought it was over for him, he won consecutive Grand Slam titles in Australia and France in 2022.

The Spaniard won a record-extending 14th Roland Garros title last year when he beat Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0. Although he is yet to find his form since then, the Norwegian is confident that the 36-year-old could once again emerge victorious in Paris.

Recalling some of the matches in the last four years, Ruud said:

"The last five-six years, there has been talk that, 'this will be the last year that Rafa wins Roland Garros, someone else is going to win this year, he's tired, he's hurt, he's old'. It just seems like he's built for those conditions, playing best-of-five sets. I remember the 2019 final against Dominic [Thiem] and I was thinking, 'What the hell can you do to beat him [Nadal] because Rafa just had an answer to everything."

"The final of 2020 was also ridiculous, destroying Novak 6-0, 6-2, 7-5," he said. "In 2021, he lost to Novak, struggled a bit with the foot, I guess. And the final last year with me was obviously not very enjoyable score-wise for me but the match against Novak in the quarterfinals, just the level, it's just incredible."

"So I think Dominic and I can say that we wouldn't be surprised if Rafa came up with some ridiculous level once again and won for the 15th time because he will probably use these weeks and these months to prepare for Roland-Garros. The only thing that is probably on his mind these days is just to be fit, be healthy, and be ready for Roland-Garros," he added.

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Rafael Nadal targets Monte Carlo Masters for comeback

Rafael Nadal during the 2023 Australian Open

During his second-round loss at the 2023 Australian Open, Rafael Nadal suffered a hip injury. After withdrawing from Indian Wells and the Miami Open, the Spaniard is gearing up to return to the tour at the Monte Carlo Masters. He holds the record for winning the tournament 11 times.

Tournament director David Massey revealed that the 22-time Grand Slam winner was the first player to be registered.

"Rafa was the first [player] to be registered," Massey said. "He really wants to play at the Monte Carlo Masters and is giving himself every chance to take part in the tournament he's so fond of."

The event is scheduled to be played from April 9-16.