Is Rafael Nadal back on form after superb De Minaur win?: "No, no, not yet, it takes time"

Rafael Nadal has done it again! The Spaniard is in the third round of the Madrid Open 2024 after beating Alex de Miñaur in two sets by 7-6(6) and 6-3. After the match, the former world No. 1 spoke to the ATP Tour microphones about his feelings during the match and what is to come.

The interviewer asked him directly if the "old" Rafa was back, to which Nadal replied that not at all, that this was just another step and that it takes time:

"No, no, not yet, it takes time. I think at times I've given a good level of tennis, I've been able to do a lot of positive things, but still with ups and downs. Very happy to be able to be competitive against a player like Alex, to be able to play more than two hours means a lot to me. The atmosphere here has been an absolute joke (in a good way), I can't be more grateful."

Nadal wanted to make it clear that his tennis level has always been there, and that what has prevented him from performing these last seasons has been exclusively the physical level:

"I don't know. I truly believe that tennis has never been a problem, the physical aspect is what has been the problem the last couple of years. If I'm able to string the weeks together and I'm able to play tennis, then I'll see how far I can go and how competitive I can become. It's not the case yet, just step by step and see how I recover."

Finally, he had a few words in Spanish, which he used mainly to thank the audience that gathered en masse to see the show in Madrid:

"Playing here in Madrid with these people is a unique feeling for me. To have had the chance to have been able to experience an afternoon like this again means a lot and nothing, I can only thank you all for making me feel this way, I have enjoyed it very much."