Nadal leans on memories if form doesn’t lift before RG

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.”

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

3 weeks ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

3 weeks ago

Djokovic rolls Cobolli as Shanghai fights to restore order

Novak Djokovic returned to action after waiting tow days to play as the rain-hit Shanghai…

4 weeks ago

Innocent umpiring error screws Stan in Shanghai

Stan Wawrinka may have been inadvertently short-changed during Monday's third-round loss at the Shanghai Masters…

4 weeks ago

Sinner sweeps Fritz to win US Open

Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title…

2 months ago

Sabalenka wins Open title for Grand Slam hat-trick

Aryana Sabalenka completed a Grand Slam title hat-trick on Saturday as she fought from 5-3…

2 months ago