Rafael Nadal is so unsatisfied with his tennis game that he is still considering refusing to travel to Roland Garros fifteen days before he is supposed to play in what will probably be his final French Open.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion was defeated 6-1, 6-3 by Hubert Hurkacz on the Spanish player’s preferred clay court on Saturday due to his surgically repaired hip and his ageing legs, which prevented him from being competitive enough.
Nadal expressed his feelings after the loss and said: “It was a tough day for me in all ways because I felt more ready than what I showed. I am a little bit more unpredictable today, not playing enough for the last two years. Too many doubts.”
To compete one last time at the French Open, where he is the record 14-time champion, Nadal will now need to work harder on the practice court. On May 26, Roland Garros will begin.
Nadal said: “One is to say, ‘OK, I am not ready; I am not playing well enough. Another is to accept how I am today and work the proper way to try to be different in two weeks. The decision, as you can imagine, is not clear in my mind today. But if I have to say what’s on my mind and if my mind is closer one way or another, I’m going to say be in Roland Garros and try my best. Physically, I have some issues, but not probably enough to say that I am not playing in the most important event of my tennis career.”
With a hip ailment that required surgery, Nadal missed almost all of 2023 and is still getting back to full health. Despite not feeling prepared to compete at Roland Garros, Nadal insists he will make every effort to improve that.
Nadal continued: “I don’t want to make a decision yet. There are two possible paths. I think I am not prepared to compete at Roland Garros because of what I have done today. There are two weeks left, and we are going to do everything possible to change the situation. Even if it is difficult For me, it is frustrating, but I feel closer to trying. I’m stuck, but I will try as much as possible these two weeks.”
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Currently the world no.305, Nadal played his last match on the 11th of May when he lost to world no.9 Hubert Hurkacz 6-1 6-3 in the 2nd round in Rome (draw).
Currently, during this year Nadal has managed to achieve a 7-4 win-loss record.
Nadal is scheduled to compete next at the French Open (French Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 26th of May.
Rafael Nadal |
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