"I love this place so much" - Nadal on playing in Rome again

Rafael Nadal lifted the Rome trophy last year after an epic clash against Novak Djokovic and he is back to try and do the same.

The chances he does it again are slim but the Spaniard is happy to be back in Rome because the city means a lot to him. He said:

“[I am] excited to be in Rome. It's a place that I love so much. [I have] amazing memories. I'll try my best, as I do always. I hope to be ready to play a little bit better than last week. Let's see.”

On his tennis Nadal said it needs improvement:

“I need to keep improving…[But] it's normal that I need some more time in terms of everything. In terms of movement, in terms of being more fitter, in terms of reading again the game. In general terms, [it was] not a negative week in Madrid, even if the tournament is probably the most difficult for me, [with] the altitude."

Nadal also spoke about his motivation to continue to playing tennis as his enthusiasm for the game looks like that of a teenager just starting out. He said:

“I like what I do, honestly. I am not playing anymore for things outside of my happiness and for things outside of my personal motivation. I am happy doing what I am doing. I still feel [I am] competitive when I am healthy enough.”

He also added:

“Of course, at my age, when you start having more problems than what you can manage, of course it is tough. Body issues, pains, you can manage that. The problem is when you start to feel that with all the things that's going through your body, you can't be competitive enough to fight for the things that really keep exciting you."