The King of Clay is more focused on finding his form than ending his career.
By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday May 25, 2024
Will this be Rafael Nadal’s last Roland-Garros?
Maybe, maybe not.
The King of Clay talked to a packed room of reporters on Saturday, and said he is not willing to call his 19th appearance on the Parisian clay his last. He’s improving with every week, and is just not sure how his future will shape up.
“It’s a big, big chance that it’s going to be my last Roland-Garros, but if I have to tell you it’s 100 percent my last Roland Garros, sorry, but I will not, because I cannot predict what’s going on – I hope you understand,” he said.
“In some way I don’t want to close 100 percent the door… First thing, I am enjoying playing tennis. Second thing, I am traveling with the family. They are enjoying. I am enjoying sharing all this process with them.”
Nadal – he of the 112-3 overall record and 14 Roland-Garros titles – says he is happy about the way he has been able to perform in practice since he suffered a second-round defeat to Hubert Hurkacz in Rome.
RAFA 💯 HOLGER #RolandGarros @RafaelNadal @holgerrune2003 pic.twitter.com/njTFPM5UnF
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 25, 2024
The 37-year-old says his movement, in particular, has improved.
“It’s a different tournament, a different feeling completely,” he said. “But I progressed. In the practices, without a doubt I improved, especially in terms of movements. So I don’t feel the limitations that I felt in Rome in terms of running, both sides, so that’s a lot for me.”
Nadal will face fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev in opening-round action on Monday. It will be the first time he plays the event unseeded, and the first time he has faced a player ranked higher than 39 in the first round.
“Of course on paper it is not the best draw,” Nadal opined. “I play against one of the toughest opponents possible, and at the same time, he came here winning the last event and it’s a Masters 1000. That’s the draw. Just try to be ready for it.”
