Nadal with some strong words about Roland Garros. “If I arrive Paris the way I feel today, I will not play. I will play Roland Garros if I feel competitive. If I can play, I play. If I can’t play, I can’t. It won’t be the end of the world or the end of my career. I still got…
"If I arrive Paris the way I feel today, I will not play": Rafael Nadal casts doubt on Roland Garros for first time
ATPWednesday, 24 April 2024 at 14:17
Rafael Nadal has stated that he will play the Madrid Open for the final time in his career after taking part in his pre tournament media duties on Wednesday. The legendary Spaniard admitted that he is not 100% still, but that he will push through in order to have one final bow at the Caja Magica.
He has won the Madrid Open five times and similar to the Barcelona Open which he won 12 times and has a court named after him, it is very much pushing through against adversity in order to give the fans one final glimpse on home soil. He faces young American, Darwin Blanch tomorrow who will look to do the unthinkable and cause a seismic upset. But even if he does end up winning, it will be Alex de Minaur who caused him all sorts of bother in Barcelona.
Also admitting that he didn't feel fantastic in practice, he said that he is playing due to 'personal reasons' hinting that he is doing so to give the fans one last stint at the Madrid Open. He will then move onto Rome and Roland Garros.
“I don’t think I will be able to play at 100%, but it means a lot to me to play in Madrid for one last time in my career. It’s a special place and court for me," said Nadal.
He added about a potential tribute to him in Madrid this year. “I’m a calm person. Nobody has to ask me about tributes. They will do what they wanna do and I’m okay with that.”
But he also has stated his specific goal to play Roland Garros but has cast doubt on that for the first time. “If I arrive Paris the way I feel today, I will not play. I will play Roland Garros if I feel competitive. If I can play, I play. If I can’t play, I can’t. It won’t be the end of the world or the end of my career. I still got goals after Roland Garros, like the Olympics”.
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