The decision that almost all the fans with Roland Garros tickets were anxiously waiting for is here—Rafael Nadal is set to announce whether he will play the French Open.
While it seemed like he would easily make it to the French Open draw, newer concerns are arising with the Spaniard’s form and fitness from Rome, where he was seen struggling quite a lot during the game.
It is a disturbing sign for the Nadal fans with Roland Garros tickets, as they were waiting for a homecoming from the King of Clay.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal struggled to play at his supreme form at the Italian Open, losing in straight sets against Hubert Hurkacz.
After the defeat against Hurkacz in Rome, Nadal looks ahead and plans to play for a record-extending 15th French Open title later this month. He added that it would be one of his most challenging decisions as he was preparing to enter the French Open.
“The time has come to make a decision,” Nadal said of his fitness problem as he prepared for “the most important event” of his tennis career.
The former World No.1 addressed the “physical issues” that have bothered him and may cause the 37-year-old to miss the season’s second Grand Slam.
He adds that despite returning to the court, he has lacked game time, which might have hampered his hopes of making the Roland Garros courts.
“Now [there are] two ways. Probably one is to say, Okay, I am not ready; I am not playing well enough. Then is the moment to decide terms of not playing Roland Garros. Another is to accept how I am today and work the proper way to try to be in a different way in two weeks,” Nadal said, as quoted by ATP.
While fans with Roland Garros tickets anxiously wait for Nadal’s final call, there is much uncertainty.
The decision would stem from his quests for fitness and agility.
“The decision, as you can imagine, is not clear today. But if I have to say what my feeling is and if my mind is closer one way or the other, I’m going to say I will be in Roland Garros and try my best,” he added.
“Physically, I have some issues, but not yet enough to say not playing in the most important event of my tennis career. Let’s see what’s going on and how I feel mentally tomorrow, after tomorrow, and in one week. If I feel ready, I’m going to try to be there and fight for the things that I have been fighting the last 15 years, even if now it seems impossible,” said the former World No. 1.
However, a dismal conclusion to his 2024 campaign will not cloud Nadal’s recollections of his exploits in Rome.
“I always say that I will never be able to thank you enough for all the love and support I receive worldwide. One of the most important events in my tennis career here in Rome is obviously one that will be in my heart for many reasons,” Nadal added.
It disappointed Nadal at the Italian Open, as he lost to Hurkcacz 6-1, 6-3 without any fight. It felt like Nadal needed a sense of readiness and more time.
Unfortunately, time isn’t on his side.
“Here, I played a few of the most important, beautiful, emotional matches. In many moments of my tennis career, I returned from tough moments playing here in Rome, especially the last eight years when I arrived with some doubts, and then I started to play well here. It was not the case today, but it happened in the past. I enjoyed playing on this court a lot,” he added.
Nadal was playing in only his third tour-level event since returning from injury in mid-April. Although the Spaniard is still striving to recover his best level while easing back in physically, he felt his performance against Hurkacz was an inaccurate picture of how he felt.
“He was serving well. It was difficult for me to return. It’s difficult to feel yourself with real chances of coming back with his serve and without being able to create enough damage to him and creating mistakes,” said the former No. 1.
“That’s it. Just accept that. It was a tough day because I felt more ready than I had. That gives me a bad feeling because [I was] feeling better, [but could not] show myself on the court… As I said before the tournament started, I am slightly more unpredictable today, not playing enough for the last two years,” he added.
Nadal squandered five break opportunities in the first game of his debut ATP Head2Head match against Hurkacz. That proved costly, as the Pole settled down behind his serve and gained command of the match in the middle of the first set.
“I think it was a tough one. I started the match well. The first few games, almost half an hour for the first two, have a few chances and play well. Then [he] had the break, and I lost a little bit the way to push him back, the way to create that much on him,” reflected Nadal, now 70-9 in the Italian capital.
“I think the score lied a bit about the game in the first set. Then he was much better than me in the second. I didn’t have that feeling initially, but in the second, yeah. I was not able to push him back,” he added.
Djokovic Gets New Coach
After closing ties with his long-term coach, Djokovic has returned to Gebhard Phil-Gritcsh as his coach.
Djokovic spoke about the changes as he preps for the French Open.
“I’m currently working with a coach I worked with for many years (Gebhard Phil-Gritcsh). I was able to adapt to his program and approach easily. We know each other very well, and we are in sync from the very beginning in terms of what we want to do and how we want to approach the training programme on and off the court.
“I’m happy with the last 14 days in terms of training and preparation for this tournament, but especially for Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the Olympics, which is the block we are preparing for the most.”