Rafa Nadal confirms that he is definitely playing Barcelona. “I came here a bit on a last minute decision, not knowing if I could play. But tomorrow I’ll be on the court.” This will be his first professional clay match in 680 days. Vamos. 🇪🇸🥹
"It will be my last participation here": Rafael Nadal drops retirement hint amid final Barcelona Open confirmation
ATPMonday, 15 April 2024 at 14:42
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."
claps 0visitors 236
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Rybakina is back!!
mandoist21-12-2024 - She sems to have a turbulent relationship with The Truth. Not even smartenough to make an excuse like "I severely twisted my ankle yesterday" -- then be seen shopping in some city next day while "recuperating"!mandoist21-12-2024
- Why do you even publish this TwatCaster's PATHETIC stunt for attention? There's plenty of reasons why imbeciles like him are 'talking' and people like Iga Swiatek are 'walking the walk'. Tennisuptodate should be above this tripe.mandoist16-12-2024
- If and when Political Correctness and gullible hearts over-rule BIOLOGY, the Human world begins its already seeming decline.mandoist15-12-2024
- The new generation has arrived and these guys need to do it with the left overs.
AceOfBase13-12-2024 - Every young, inexperiend CEO has "better" ideas (and friends to hire).mandoist12-12-2024
- What a load of nonsense. Emotional stress definitely didn’t cause her wrist or ankle injuries.Lyca10-12-2024
- Taylor Fritz 🎾 – the surprising third for many. 🎄 A great Christmas tree quiz question! 🎅✨MrAndreeva10-12-2024
- Simona Halep taking the axe out 🪓😮💨MrAndreeva08-12-2024
- ITIA is literally a Secret Organization. Way past time for a neutral entity to oversee, if not guide, these Elitists within ITIA whom enjoy their ability to keep their "investigations" in a business as usual format behind closed doors!!mandoist08-12-2024
