Legendary Roger Federer reckons it will be brutal for tennis if Rafael Nadal misses the upcoming French Open. Nadal, who is a record-breaking 14-time champion at Roland Garros, is in a race against time to get fit for the second Grand Slam of the year.

Nadal is currently recovering from a hip injury, which he suffered in the second round of the Australia Open while playing against America’s Mckenzie Mcdonald, earlier in the year. In fact, Nadal’s injury was expected to heal in six to eight weeks time but it has now taken double the time.

The veteran Spaniard has also decided to pull out of the Rome Masters in Italy. French Open begins from May 28 and there are chances that Nadal could go on to miss his favorite Slam of the year if he fails to recover.

“It would be brutal (Nadal not being there), it would be tough for tennis if Rafa isn’t going to be there,” Federer told Sky Sports.

“I still hope so, I saw he pulled out of Rome so I wish him the best.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic also hasn’t played consistently since winning the Australian Open due to his unvaccinated status and his elbow injury.

The Swiss Maestro added, “Obviously Novak hasn’t been playing that much so I hope he’s going to be strong as well and then all the young guys coming through as well.

“I’ll be watching that’s for sure.”

Nadal, who is a 10-time Italian Open champion, announced that he will be pulling out of the Rome Masters as he hasn’t completely recovered.

“You all know how much it hurts me to miss another one of the tournaments that have marked my professional and personal career for all the love and support of the Italian tifosi,” he said on social media.

“Despite having noticed an improvement in recent days, there have been many months without having been able to train at a high level and the re-adaptation process has its time, and I have no choice but to accept it and continue working.”