” How do you feel today ?
Rafael Nadal: After Madrid, I took a few days at home and arrived last Saturday in Rome. I have been able, more or less, to train correctly these last few days. I’m excited about playing in Rome, a tournament that has brought me many unforgettable moments. We will see. Day after day. This is almost my third week in a row on the circuit, my third tournament in a row. This hasn’t happened to me in a long time. It’s good news. Let’s see, let’s move forward, day by day. But I’m happy with how I feel today.
This is probably your last tournament here in Rome. What does this inspire you?
It’s always a good time to play here, in front of a passionate crowd. I can’t tell you all the emotions I experienced here, these incredible finals the first two times I played this tournament, against (Guillermo) Coria, Roger (Federer)(victories in five sets in the final in 2005 and 2006 ). It is a tournament which is part of the history of our sport, very important on the circuit. I feel lucky to be playing here again at this stage of my career. I am motivated for tomorrow (Thursday) and this tournament.
How do you envisage the emotions that will be yours at Roland-Garros? Surely this will be different from previous years?
I don’t have a clear answer. First of all, I want to play in Rome. I don’t think about what’s next. If after that, I feel ready to play Roland-Garros, I can’t predict what kind of emotions I will feel there. I just want to enjoy every day. I’m happy doing what I do.
When I talk about retirement, it’s not because I’m no longer happy playing tennis or that I no longer feel competitive enough. This is not the case. It’s more because my body wasn’t able to play for weeks at a time, wasn’t able to allow me to train and enjoy training on a daily basis. So there comes a point where it no longer makes sense.
If you are not able to do things properly on a daily basis, if you are not able to enjoy yourself through pain and injury, it is almost impossible to succeed or continue to fight for things. that really motivate me, right? But now it’s almost my third week on the circuit so… It’s a good time, even if the results are not what they were. But I increase my sensations, my level. Let’s see, let’s continue.
“A month ago it was almost impossible for me to think that I could play in Barcelona, then in Madrid, and now here in Rome”
What are your best memories in Rome, which matches?
I think it’s the first title. Most of the big moments in tennis have been best-of-five-set matches, because at the end of the day it makes the matches more emotional, more dramatic, gets people more involved. In a way, I miss the days when we played the best-of-five Masters 1000, those incredible battles that are part of the history of our sport. I won ten times here, but the memories of the first two victories in five sets against Coria and against Roger (Federer) are much more present than the others. The first against Guillermo Coria, 5h14 into the match, I was down 3-0 in the 5th set I think? The public support, the atmosphere, it was incredible!
How do you assess your progress, since your return to the circuit in Barcelona three weeks ago until the last training sessions here, both physically and mentally?
This fluctuates depending on the day. It’s not a constantly rising line, it’s a bit up and down. After Barcelona (eliminated in the second round by Alex De Minaur), I had difficult times in Madrid. Even here, the first day. But from a general point of view, the line is going up, without a doubt. A month ago it was almost impossible for me to think that I could play in Barcelona, then in Madrid, and now here in Rome. Things are falling into place.
I was able to accept the challenge, accept that at certain times I could not push as I would have liked. By doing things correctly and trying to avoid taking risks during matches, I was able to keep moving forward. Madrid was a good test for me, I played two days in a row, a three-hour match. My feelings are better. In terms of tennis too. I’m here to do my best. Tomorrow (Thursday) is the start. All matches are difficult for me today, difficult and more unpredictable than before. I accept this. I’m excited to be able to play if I continue to work the right way and my body allows me to. »
