Rafael Nadal (Photo : Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal's scheduled return from injury at the Rogers Cup could be tougher than he expected, with Novak Djokovic also planning on participating at the ATP 1000 Masters event.
Nadal, who is recovering from a left wrist injury that forced him to withdraw from the French Open, is set for a return at the Rogers Cup in Toronto next month, according to his long-time coach and uncle Toni.
"We will not take part in the Davis Cup tie against Romania [in mid-July], our plan is to play in Toronto because that will be good for us. It will be a good preparation," Toni said, reports Tennis World USA.
Nadal's main focus following his latest setback is competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil, where he plays singles competition and team-up with Garbine Muruguza for the mixed-doubles category. With Nadal looking for his second Gold Olympic medal in Rio de Janeiro on August, he must pick up where he left off, which was considerably his vintage form after winning back-to-back titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.
Winning in Toronto would certainly help in Nadal's momentum heading into his next tournament and could gain back any confidence loss at suffering the wrist injury. However, it could be a tough post-injury outing for Nadal at the Uniprix Stadium, with Djokovic confirmed to join the tournament after releasing his schedule for the remainder of the season.
Nadal has not won against Djokovic in all of their matches since the Spaniard defeated the Serb for the French Open title in 2014. But despite the losing slump against Djokovic, Nadal seems to have gotten close in beating the Belgrade native after a tightly contested battle in the quarterfinals of this year's Roland Garros.
"There is much difference between him and the rest. It's impossible to stop him and you have to congratulate him. When you are very good and you have nothing that stops you, like injuries, it becomes a lethal combination," Nadal said Of Djokovic during the heat of the clay-season.
Rogers Cup defending champ Andy Murray and 17-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer could also join Nadal and Djokovic at the Rogers Cup on July 25. While it brings added competition to Nadal's somewhat testing ground prior to the Olympics, it could also be good for the 14-time Grand Slam winner to challenge himself of immediately getting back on track.
