Spaniard’s pessimistic view on a potential farewell to Paris
A player getting ready for Thursday’s Madrid Open
Rafael Nadal has stated that he will make every effort to be prepared to compete in Paris next month, but he will not make a final appearance at the French Open unless he sees major improvement in his physical state in the upcoming weeks.
Nadal remarked in Spanish, “I don’t know what is going to happen in the next three weeks.” “To try to play Paris, I’m fighting and doing everything I can.” I can play if I so choose. I’m not able to play if I can’t. I refuse to portray Paris as I am right now. My decision to play Paris is contingent upon my perceived ability to compete effectively.
“We’ll observe the situation. Even though Roland Garros has been the most significant competition of my career, the world does not end there. There are other competitions in Paris if I choose not to play; the Olympics are coming up, among other things. I won’t take on more work than I want to or feel like I can handle.
Although Nadal has excelled on clay throughout his career, the 14-time French Open champion is still getting used to the surface this year after battling a number of injuries, including hip and back problems. Nadal was defeated in the second round of the Barcelona Open last week, in his first competition since January. Nadal emphasized again on Wednesday that his physical state is far from ideal.
“To be on the court is the goal,” Nadal stated in English. “Savor for as long as you can. That is the matter at hand. Try to avoid any physical problems by the end of the tournament and relish the fact that I get to compete on the professional circuit once again, right here in Madrid, the city that has given me everything. Regarding assistance.
I know I say that a lot in this sport, but it’s true. Things can quickly change. There is no way that a change will occur if I am not present to test that change. I’m giving myself a chance by coming here. I need to be prepared in case my circumstances change at some point and I am able to have better bodily sensations. I won’t be prepared if I return home not being who I am right now.
“So that I don’t give up. I simply accept the circumstances I find myself in, but that doesn’t mean they won’t change in a few weeks. However, things are the way they are now. I want to continue working and taking the necessary steps to enable myself to be prepared in the event that a change occurs. There will be another conversation if that occurs.
In what he has said will be his final appearance at the Madrid Open, Rafael Nadal, who turns 38 at the beginning of June, will take on 16-year-old wildcard Darwin Blanch in the opening round of the Masters 1000 event on Thursday. He declared, “[I am here] with the determination to play here one more time. I think this week has been good in some ways and bad in others. Though I don’t think I’m ready to play at my best, I think I’m ready to play tomorrow. It’s significant to me to play in Madrid one last time.