Rafael Nadal will announce if he will compete in the French Open on Thursday, amid a long-term injury struggle and some Spanish reports that he will withdraw. The 22-time Grand Slam winner has battled to recover from a hip injury he sustained in January at the Australian Open, not playing since then.&nbsp;

"If he plays or not and the reasons either way will only be communicated tomorrow," said a spokesman for Nadal on Wednesday.

Nadal will speak at 4pm local time (1400 GMT) on Thursday at his Rafa Nadal academy in Mallorca.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/italian-open-holger-rune-outplays-defending-champion-novak-djokovic-to-reach-last-four-593387">Italian Open: Holger Rune outplays defending champion Novak Djokovic to reach last four</a>

The Spaniard, 36, pulled out of the Barcelona and Madrid Open tournaments among others in the run-up to Roland Garros, and earlier in May confirmed he would not participate in the Italian Open.

The French Open, which he has won on a record 14 occasions, starts in Paris on May 28.

Nadal's struggles with fitness over the past couple of years have created wider doubts concerning his career. He has competed in just four matches in 2023, winning only once.

The superstar hoped to battle with Novak Djkovic in Paris for a record extending 23rd Grand Slam, after the Serb pulled level with him by winning the Australian Open.

"It depends if Nadal plays or not," joked Djokovic this week when asked if the French Open would be the most open for two decades.

Nadal turned down a wildcard offer for a Challenger tournament in Bordeaux next week as he tried to win his race &nbsp;to make Roland Garros.

He has competed at the tournament in France every year since 2005, which was the first time he won it. The current world number 14, who turns 37 in June, has only lost three times at the French Open since his debut at the tournament. In 2016, he was forced to withdraw from the tournament before the third round with a wrist injury. 
Nadal has never played at the French Open without a warm-up event on clay.

The Spaniard's last match was a straight-sets defeat by American player Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the Australian open.

The veteran pulled out of hard-court tournaments in the US in March, aiming to make the start of the clay court season, but his injury recovery did not progress as planned. 
Earlier in May, Nadal said his injury situation had improved with a new treatment, but not sufficiently to be able to play in Rome this week.

Physical problems have dogged Nadal through his glittering career and there are fears they may soon bring it to an end.

Rafael Nadal will announce if he will compete in the French Open on Thursday, amid a long-term injury struggle and some Spanish reports that he will withdraw. The 22-time Grand Slam winner has battled to recover from a hip injury he sustained in January at the Australian Open, not playing since then.

Rafael Nadal will announce if he will compete in the French Open on Thursday, amid a long-term injury struggle and some Spanish reports that he will withdraw. The 22-time Grand Slam winner has battled to recover from a hip injury he sustained in January at the Australian Open, not playing since then. "If he plays or not and the reasons either way will only be communicated tomorrow," said a spokesman for Nadal on Wednesday. Nadal will speak at 4pm local time (1400 GMT) on Thursday at his Rafa Nadal academy in Mallorca. ALSO READ: Italian Open: Holger Rune outplays defending champion Novak Djokovic to reach last four The Spaniard, 36, pulled out of the Barcelona and Madrid Open tournaments among others in the run-up to Roland Garros, and earlier in May confirmed he would not participate in the Italian Open. The French Open, which he has won on a record 14 occasions, starts in Paris on May 28. Nadal's struggles with fitness over the past couple of years have created wider doubts concerning his career. He has competed in just four matches in 2023, winning only once. The superstar hoped to battle with Novak Djkovic in Paris for a record extending 23rd Grand Slam, after the Serb pulled level with him by winning the Australian Open. "It depends if Nadal plays or not," joked Djokovic this week when asked if the French Open would be the most open for two decades. Nadal turned down a wildcard offer for a Challenger tournament in Bordeaux next week as he tried to win his race to make Roland Garros. He has competed at the tournament in France every year since 2005, which was the first time he won it. The current world number 14, who turns 37 in June, has only lost three times at the French Open since his debut at the tournament. In 2016, he was forced to withdraw from the tournament before the third round with a wrist injury. Nadal has never played at the French Open without a warm-up event on clay. The Spaniard's last match was a straight-sets defeat by American player Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the Australian open. The veteran pulled out of hard-court tournaments in the US in March, aiming to make the start of the clay court season, but his injury recovery did not progress as planned. Earlier in May, Nadal said his injury situation had improved with a new treatment, but not sufficiently to be able to play in Rome this week. Physical problems have dogged Nadal through his glittering career and there are fears they may soon bring it to an end.

Veteran Rafael Nadal set to reveal decision on French Open amid injury concerns

In the world full of Nadals, Federers and Djokovics, we have someone like Stefanos Tsitsipas has been waiting in the wings for his moment - something he’s been dreaming of since he was a kid, and it’s about time before he breaks into the elite list.

In the world full of Nadals, Federers and Djokovics, we have someone like Stefanos Tsitsipas has been waiting in the wings for his moment - something he’s been dreaming of since he was a kid, and it’s about time before he breaks into the elite list. Speaking exclusively to WION’s Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo, the Greek tennis star talked about how he is preparing for the second slam of the year – French Open, how did he deal with the 2023 Australian Open final loss, and what’s the most important thing for him and much more. The world number five and a former two-time Grand Slam finalist, Tsitsipas is upbeat about breaking the grand slam title jinx while also remaining aware of the challenge ahead of him. Currently in Rome for the ongoing 2023 Italian Open, Tsitsipas feels he is in the right space and feels better heading into the French Open that starts in a couple of weeks. ALSO READ: Madrid Open apologises for denying women's doubles finalists speeches amid allegations of sexism When asked how he feels about the same in his head, Tsitsipas said, “My year has been alright; I have been better for sure. I really hope I get to do something this week in terms of getting a big result, and I feel like I can. “I have had a few quarterfinals in the last few tournaments and a final in Barcelona, which I am kind of happy with, but I am working for more consistency regarding points and big results, and I am hoping to prove myself in the next two weeks,” the Greek superstar said. Injury, success and playing healthy Talking in detail about dealing with latest injuries and how coming out of it took some doing, Tsitsipas said it’s never easy in the first place as it puts one down and kills the motivation to get better, knowing the physical condition will not allow that. “I dealt with an injury a few months back, and it put me down; I wasn't feeling great,” Tsitsipas said. Now, with the French Open in front of him, Tsitsipas added to have that feeling that are you not injured, and there’s nothing to stop you from achieving your dreams is great in itself. He also said the most important thing for him is to play healthy, and everything else comes second. “Now, knowing I don't have an injury or nothing is there to stop me, it is a great feeling,” he said. I am hoping to stay healthy. “The most important thing now is to play healthy and not feel any pain or any inconvenience when I am at the court,” Tsitsipas added. Tsitsipas and his challengers When asked about the challenges that awaits him and his peers, in Carlos Alcaraz and Dominic Thiem, to name a few – Tsitsipas said he is aware of their success and knows what they can deliver on the big stage. Remaining optimistic about his chances of doing well at the 2023 French Open, a Slam where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the finals in 2021, Tsitsipas said if they can achieve glory, so can he, and there’s no reason for him not to do so. “No I don't,” said Tsitsipas when asked if he is jealous of his peers. “They play great tennis; they are extremely professional in what they do. If they can then I can too, and I see no reason for me not to. I will take my time; I am not in a rush, this is a marathon, and I will work accordingly to make that happen. “Carlos Alcaraz is obviously a big competitor, and he's someone who sets the bar high,” Tsitsipas, on whom he thinks will challenge him for the French Open title. “Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev are others; the competition is high; you have to be more physical and more technical than ever.” On losing to Novak in 2023 Australian Open final For the second time in his career, Tsitsipas lost to Novak Djokovic – this time, in the finals of 2023 Australian Open. Sharing his thoughts on how he felt upon suffering the loss and what it meant to him losing a chance to become the world number one. “It was a five-set thriller; it did get close in the third set, which was the tie breaker. I honestly felt I was playing well, but he was controlling the match,” Tsitsipas said. “It was disappointing to lose, but I was able to convert myself into feeling normal...,” he added. Answering about losing an opportunity to on top of rankings, Tsitsipas said, “There were a lot of things at stake during that Novak final and one of them being the world number one rankings; I was loud about wanting to be number one and fast forward one and a half month later, I felt I could pull it off, but that didn’t happen. I am sure my time will come,” he concluded.

EXCLUSIVE: Upbeat Stefanos Tsitsipas eyes maiden French Open crown, remains wary of star-studded peers

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Veteran Rafael Nadal set to reveal decision on French Open amid injury concerns

EXCLUSIVE: Upbeat Stefanos Tsitsipas eyes maiden French Open crown, remains wary of star-studded peers