After several months out through injury, Rafael Nadal will also be playing in Madrid this week after the tennis tournament in Barcelona. He doesn’t sound optimistic about the French Open
Tennis star Rafael Nadal will be competing in Madrid this week, but his start at the French Open is apparently in doubt. “I won’t play in Paris if I feel like I do today,” said the 37-year-old Spaniard, who has been repeatedly plagued by injuries, in Madrid: “If it was Paris, I wouldn’t play.”
He does not know what will happen in the next three weeks, Nadal said: “I will continue to fight and do the things I think I have to do to play in Paris. And if it’s possible, it’s possible. If not, it’s not.” He does not feel perfect this week.
The French Open in Paris begins at the end of May. Nadal is the record champion with 14 titles. The clay court Grand Slam tournament is his big goal for what will probably be his last year on the tennis tour. Unlike in Madrid, the men’s tournament at the French Open is played over three winning sets, as at all Grand Slam tournaments. Nadal could also compete once again in Paris at this summer’s Olympic Games
Nadal repeatedly set back by injuries
The 22-time Grand Slam champion had already announced last year that his career would come to an end in 2024. Nadal has been repeatedly set back by injuries. Just last week, the former world number one made his comeback in Barcelona after months of injury and was knocked out in the second round.
This Thursday in Madrid, Nadal will face the 16-year-old American Darwin Blanch in the first round. “Hopefully I can play without any restrictions,” said the veteran. Even if he loses, that would be a positive