Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal Image Credit: AFP

Rafael Nadal has suffered a stress fracture in his rib and will be out for up to six weeks, the Spaniard’s team said on Tuesday.

Nadal, the winner of 21 Grand Slam singles titles, complained of a chest issue during his run to the final of the ATP 1000 event in Indian Wells, California last week.

“This is not good news and I did not expect this,” tweeted Nadal, who will miss the start of the claycourt season.

The world No. 3 won the Australian Open earlier this year to move ahead of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the all-time Grand Slam champion’s list.