Rafael Nadal is seriously tamping down expectations for the French Open, with the 13-time champion in Paris hinting that he might not ever feel like fronting up to the Grand Slam next month.
The 37-year-old took a major step as he reached the Madrid Masters fourth round with a revenge win over Alex de Minaur after losing a week earlier to the 11th-ranked Aussie in Barcelona.
But the Spanish icon said even that win would not make much difference if he feels that his form is not up to championship level after battling various injuries for much of the last two seasons..
“It’s not a thing about losing or winning. It’s about going on court there with the feeling that I can fight and I can be competitive,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion said.
“If I’m not able to go on court and dream – even if it’s the minimum, minimum percentage (of success) – it doesn’t make sense for me to go on court.”
Nadal added: “I prefer to stay with all the amazing memories that I have.
“I want to be there (Paris), and even losing, but going on court with the chance to dream about something important,
“If that happens, I’m gonna be on court.
“If I’m not allowed to make that happen, even if it’s a super, super small percentage, I probably will not go.”
