Posted by Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday May 25, 2024
Will this be Rafael NadalThe last Roland-Garros?
Maybe, maybe not.
The King of Clay spoke to a room full of reporters on Saturday, and said he has no intention of calling his 19th appearance at the Paris clay his last. He is improving every week, and he is not sure what his future holds.
“It’s a big, big chance that it will be my last Roland-Garros, but if I have to tell you that it’s 100% my last Roland Garros, I’m sorry, but I won’t, because I can’t predict what’s going to happen – I hope. you understand,” he said.
“Somehow I don’t want to close the door 100 percent… First of all, I enjoy playing tennis. Second, I travel with family. They are happy. I enjoy sharing the whole process with them.”
Nadal – who has a record of 112-3 and 14 Roland-Garros titles – says he is happy with the way he has been able to train since his second-round loss 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 competition, a completely different feeling,” he said. But I improved. In practice, without a doubt I have improved, especially in terms of movement. So I don’t feel the limitations that I felt in Rome in terms of running, on both sides, so that’s a lot for me.”
Nadal will face fourth seed Alexander Zverev in the opening match on Monday. It will be the first time he plays this event without being seen, and it is the first time he will face a player ranked higher than 39 in the first round.
“Of course on paper it’s not the best match,” Nadal concluded. “I’m playing against the strongest opponent possible, and at the same time, he came here winning the last event and it’s the Masters 1000. That’s the draw. Just try to be ready.”
