Nadal on improving his form: why not?

Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday, May 8, 2024

No promises, no guarantees. Rafael Nadal is not going to assert himself in top-notch “King of Clay” form just because he managed to play three tournaments in a row this spring.

After all, the 22-time major champion never exaggerated his chances. But the Spaniard admits he is pleased with the progress he has made over the past month and that he is enjoying the hell out of the tour at the moment.

This week he returned to the Foro Italico in Rome, where he became a ten-time champion.

Nadal, who is playing his 19th match in Rome and has a 69-8 record in the Italian capital, says he is getting better every day.

“Overall, without a doubt, the queue is growing,” Nadal told reporters. “I'm happy to be where I am today because a month ago it was almost impossible for me to think that I would be able to play in Barcelona, ​​then in Madrid and now being here in Rome.”

“My feelings are always better. In tennis too. Why not?”

Nadal, 37, says he is looking forward to what's next and believes that if his body behaves well he could be in even better shape in a few weeks.

“I’m here to try my best,” he said. “Tomorrow (against Zizou Bergs in the first round) will be the start. All matches for me today are difficult, difficult and more unpredictable than those that were for me before, especially on clay.

“I accept this role. I accept this challenge. I'm excited about how I can play if I keep working the right way and my body allows me to.”

No drama: Sinner and Alcaraz will return

Nadal had a lengthy discussion with a reporter about injuries, saying that modern players must accept that if they are going to perform at their best, injuries are bound to happen.

The departure of leading Italians Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz due to injury was a blow to the tournament, but the show must go on.

“They are young,” he said. “They will have many chances to play in Rome and have great success here. No drama. The tournament will survive even without Carlos and Yannick, super important players for any event, any tournament today.”

However, Nadal admits he is a little sad that Sinner will not be able to compete in Italy after all he has done to develop the sport in the country this year. At this year's Australian Open, Sinner became the first man to win a major since 1976 and recently achieved the highest ever ranking for an Italian – second place.

“I think it's terrible news, especially for Italy, not having Yannick playing here after everything he represents in this country today. Even for me, as a viewer, as a colleague, I feel very sorry for him because he deserves to play here.