"It will be my last participation here": Rafael Nadal drops retirement hint amid final Barcelona Open confirmation

Rafael Nadal has announced what was expected at the press conference prior to the Barcelona Open: he will play the tournament. The Spaniard will make his long-awaited return to clay, and to the ATP circuit in general, as he has not played officially since Brisbane in January, before the Australian Open.

In addition to confirming that he will play the Barcelona Open, Nadal has also reiterated that he still thinks that 2024 will be his last year as a professional, as published by Puntodebreak journalist José Morón in the transcript of the press conference: "I take this as my last participation in the Godó. I don't know what will happen in the future, but I'm going to try to give myself my best chance. The week of training has been positive and I'm looking forward to doing my best".

"I was thinking 'can I or can't I?' It's been a difficult two years. I'm coming off a major hip operation, which takes time to recover from. Things happen in the body and I couldn't follow the schedule I wanted. When you can't, you can't. Although it hurts me, it is what it is. At this point in my career, I'm in a different situation," explains Rafa about the whole ordeal of injuries he has suffered in recent years.

"For me, before regretting where I could not be, it is a gift to be in Barcelona. I take it as my last year and I want to enjoy every moment. I feel ready to play tomorrow. I don't think about how I get there. I know what the situation is, that I'm just getting ready, but I'm realistic. For me, being here is a joy," added the Spaniard.

Finally, Nadal explains why he has decided to play in the Conde de Godo at the last minute: "My feelings in training have been better than the ones I had in Mallorca. My body sensations have also been better and I feel ready to compete. Then, we will see what happens. I haven't been able to practice my serve much. I will try to assume the loads progressively. There is uncertainty, but it is what it is. We have to live with it. Within all of that, you have to be able to see things in a positive way and be able to enjoy competing again, to be in a tennis tournament, and here I am. What may or may not happen is less important to me."