Rafael Nadal slipped out of the top 10 since 2005

• Rafael Nadal fell out of the top 10 for the first time.
• After being unable to compete in the Indian Wells.
• He could make a comeback at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, fell out of the top 10 for the first time since 2005 on Monday after being unable to compete in the Indian Wells tournament.

Nadal was forced to withdraw from the Masters 1000 event in California, where he reached the final last year due to injury. The Spaniard is recovering from hip problems that forced him to withdraw from the Australia Open in the second round in January.

Nadal fell four places to 13th in the rankings after losing 600 points in Indian Wells, ending his record 912-week stay inside the top 10.

Nadal, on the other hand, could make a comeback at the Monte Carlo Masters next month, ahead of the French Open, which he has won 14 times in his illustrious career.

Casper Ruud, who lost to Nadal in the Roland Garros final last year, said he would not be surprised if the ‘King of Clay’ lifted the trophy again.

“It wouldn’t surprise me because he’ll probably use these weeks and these months, as he’s preparing for exactly Roland Garros,” Ruud told Eurosport as part of the ‘Ruud Talk’ series.

“It doesn’t matter if he loses in Monte Carlo or Rome or Madrid. The only thing that’s probably on his mind these days is just to be fit, be healthy and be ready for Roland Garros.”

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