Fernando Verdasco shares message of encouragement to Rafael Nadal amid injury blow

• Tennis News
• Rafael Nadal

Fernando Verdasco has shared a message of encouragement to Rafael Nadal, calling him "the biggest legend no matter what." Nadal, 36, announced the very sad news on Thursday as the 22-time Grand Slam champion pulled out of the Madrid Masters due to an ongoing psoas injury.

In a lengthy message shared to his fans, Nadal admitted he is in a difficult situation because his recovery hasn't gone at all as planned. When Nadal suffered a hip injury at the Australian Open, he was told he would be out for six to eight weeks but would be ready for the start of the clay season.

"You are the biggest LEGEND no matter what and hopefully we can see you back on the court soon!" Verdasco tweeted.

Eres la LEYENDA más grande pase lo que pase y ojalá podamos verte de vuelta en una pista pronto !!

💪🏽 https://t.co/8mTuUoO9Zs — Fernando Verdasco (@FerVerdasco) April 20, 2023

Verdasco calls Nadal 'the biggest legend'

In his message, Nadal revealed he will try a new treatment in the next couple of days.

Nothing has been confirmed but Nadal will try to compete at the Rome Masters and French Open. "It has been a difficult few weeks and months. As you know I suffered a major injury in Australia, at the Psoas. Initially, it had to be a six to eight-week recovery period and we are now on fourteen.

The reality is that the situation is not what we would have expected. All medical indications have been followed, but somehow the evolution has not been what they initially told us and we find ourselves in a difficult situation.

The weeks are passing and I had the illusion of being able to play in tournaments that are the most important in my career such as Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros and for the moment I have missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

I will not be able to be in Madrid unfortunately. The injury still hasn't healed and I can't work out what I need to compete. I was training, but now a few days ago we decided to change course a bit, do another treatment and see if things improve to try to get to what comes next. I can't give deadlines because if I knew I would tell you but I don't know," Nadal announced on Instagram.