Rafael Nadal says he won’t return to Roland Garros for the finals unless his health improves significantly in the coming weeks, but he will do everything he can to be ready for next month’s Paris tournament. Told.
“I don’t know what will happen in the next three weeks,” Nadal said in Spanish. “I’m fighting with all my might to play in Paris. If I can play, I can play. If I can’t play, I can’t play. I’m not going to play in Paris in the condition I’m in today…I don’t think I’m good enough to compete well. I will only play in Paris if I feel like it.”
“Let’s see what happens. Roland Garros is the most important tournament in my career, but the world doesn’t end with Roland Garros. There are tournaments coming up. There’s the Olympics and other events coming up. I’m not going to do anything more than I feel I can or want to do.”
Nadal has dominated clay courts throughout his career, but the 14-time French Open champion took a step back on the ground this year after suffering a number of injuries, including hip and back problems. I’m about to step into it. Last week, Nadal lost in the second round of the Barcelona Open, his first appearance since January. On Wednesday, Nadal reiterated that his body is far from optimal physical condition.
“The goal is to be on court,” Nadal said in English. “Enjoy it as long as you can. That’s the question. As far as the physical issue is concerned, I try to stay alive and finish the tournament, and the fact that I can compete again on the Pro Tour and here at home in Madrid, which gives me everything. Please enjoy it. In terms of support.”
“In this sport, I say it over and over again, and it’s true. Things can change very quickly. If I’m not there to try to make that change, certainly change will happen.” No. So I’m here and I’m giving myself a chance, although I have to be ready if someday my situation improves and I start to feel better about my body. , if I stay at home as I am today, I won’t be ready.”
“So I don’t lose hope. I just accept the situation as it is, but that doesn’t mean that in a few weeks’ time things might be different. But the situation today is such I’m going to keep working, I’m going to keep doing what I have to do to give myself a chance to be ready if that change happens. That’s another story.”
Nadal, who turns 38 at the beginning of June, will play wild card 16-year-old Darwin Branch in the first round of the Masters 1000 tournament on Thursday, and confirmed this will be his last appearance at the Madrid Open. “[I am here] “With the intention of playing here again,” he said, “I think this past week has been good and bad. I don’t think I’m ready to play at 100%, but… I believe I will be ready to play tomorrow. For me it is important to play here for the last time.”
