Rafael Nadal got off to a great start at the Madrid Open 2024, overcoming Darwin Blanch in a monologue by the Spaniard, who won 6-1, 6-0 without leaving a single chance to his opponent and taking advantage of almost every opportunity he had. He said he felt comfortable on the court and without forcing anything, without doing more than the match demanded. In the press conference after the match, he also clarified his words about his doubts about whether or not to go to the next Roland Garros tournament:
What I don't want to do is go to Paris without feeling competitive. I want to get there and feel that I can give my maximum. I think it is logical that, after everything I've done in Paris, I do not want that. That is so important to me, "said Nadal, in statements collected by José Morón in X (Twitter), director of Punto de Break.
About his next match in Madrid, in the second round against Alex de Minaur, he has made it clear that he is not ruling anything out, implying that he is not going to give up for dead. Although like last week at the Conde de Godo, the Australian will be the favorite. At the Barcelona Open, de Miñaur won 7-5, 6-1. The first set was very disputed and showed us signs of what Nadal is still capable of. Here he will have to win the first set if he wants to have a chance to win the match at the end. Next Saturday we will see.
Rafa, ahora mismo en rueda de prensa desde Madrid. 🗣️ "Lo que no quiero hacer es ir a París sin sentirme competitivo. Quiero llegar allí y sentir que puedo dar mi máximo. Creo que es lógico que, después de todo lo que he vivido en París, no quiero llegar según de qué manera a…
