Rafael Nadal was optimistic before entering the Masters 1000 in Rome on Thursday. “It’s getting better and better, both physically and tennis-wise,” said the 37-year-old Spaniard at a press conference. All matches are now harder and more unpredictable for me, especially on clay. (…) But the prospects are good if I continue to work in the right way and if my body allows me to do so,” continued the former world No. 1.
Nadal, burdened by injuries over the past two seasons, returns for the first time since 2022 in Rome. He holds the victory record in this tournament with 10 victories, the last of which in 2021. Now 305th in the world, he will be pitted against Belgian Zizou Bergs, 108th in the world and from qualifying, for his entry into the competition.
“I’m in Rome, I don’t want to think about after”
Returning to the circuit after a forced three-month break, Nadal was eliminated in the second round in Barcelona and in the round of 16 at the Masters 1000 in Madrid. He was delighted to play a third tournament in a row “for the first time in a long time”. “There are of course ups and downs, and it changes from one day to the next, I had difficult times in Madrid, here too since my arrival, but my curve (of form) generally goes towards the top is obvious,” he insisted.
“I’m happy with the level I’m at now, a month ago it was almost impossible for me to think about playing in Barcelona,” recalled the king of clay. However, he refused to project himself beyond Rome and think about Roland-Garros (May 26-June 9). “I’m in Rome, I don’t want to think about afterwards,” he insisted, repeating as he had already done in Madrid that he will play Roland-Garros only if he “feels
