"My priority which is what I said from the beginning": Rafael Nadal sets clay court season including Roland Garros as main objective amid discomfort

Rafael Nadal stated that his priority lies in the clay season amid uncertainties about his participation in the Qatar Open. The 22-times Grand Slam champion has experienced some physical discomfort in recent weeks and will arrive "at the limit" in Doha. However, he remains hopeful of showcasing his best form on clay.

The Spanish player returned to the Tour in Brisbane after a year away from the courts, displaying a promising level to overcome Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler. However, he eventually succumbed in the quarterfinals to Jordan Thompson, squandering three match points.

Expectations were for Nadal to then compete in the Australian Open, but a minor tear prevented him from appearing in Melbourne. He acknowledged that this injury differed from the one in 2023, indicating a potentially shorter recovery period.

Nadal is confirmed to play in the Qatar Open next week, taking place between February 19-24, 2024. Although he arrives without much rhythm, his performance in Brisbane demonstrated that he doesn't need much time to become competitive in matches.

The former world No. 1 recognized that his main focus is to be in good form during the clay season and in optimal physical condition: "My priority objective, which is what I said from the beginning, is to arrive at the clay season at least as healthy as possible. I want to try to give myself the option of enjoying that clay season," Nadal said.

It's still unclear which clay tournaments Nadal will participate in this year, considering his intention not to strain his physique too much to avoid jeopardizing his presence at Roland Garros. Nevertheless, his presence is confirmed at the ATP 500 Barcelona Open, as mentioned by the tournament director, David Ferrer:

"Rafa is the greatest player in the history of this sport and the flagship of our tournament. Being able to continue enjoying him in Barcelona is fortunate, and personally, it excites and makes me very happy,"