Rafael Nadal is ready to take his game to the next level at the Italian Open with Roland Garros on the horizon.
The Spaniard has gradually increased his level of play since returning to the tour in April after a three-month absence.
Though the 37-year-old managed just one win in Barcelona, he reached the last 16 in Madrid and has progressed to round two in Rome after a hard-fought win over Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs.
With the ongoing Masters 1000 event likely to be the last tournament Nadal plays before commencing a bid to win a 15th French Open, he is eager to have a strong run at the Foro Italico once again.
In order to do that however, Nadal outlined the one change he needs to make.
Rafael Nadal‘s change of mindset for French Open
Nadal certainly pushed his physical and mental capabilities during his opening round Italian Open match against Bergs.
He squandered a 3-1 lead in set one and managed to claim just one more game as the 24-year-old took the lead and found himself one set away from an upset win.
Nadal claimed an early lead in set two but this time was able to hold on to his advantage and level the match at a set apiece.
The Spaniard kept applying the pressure and he was rewarded with a break of serve to go 2-1 ahead in the final set, and successfully held serve for the remainder of the match to claim a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win.
His body has responded well since his injury comeback and ahead of his next match in Rome and a return to Grand Slam action coming up, Nadal is demanding more from himself from a physical standpoint.
“We arrive at a moment that I need to prove to myself if I am able to push my body to the limit, that I need to push to feel myself ready for what’s coming,” he told reporters after defeating Bergs.
“I am not talking only about Roland Garros. I am talking about the next match. I need to lose this fear. Matches like today help. Some moments I was moving faster. Some moments not.
“I need to get used to that, to take that risk.. If something wrong happens, we’re going to accept it. But that’s the moment to push. I feel more ready to try it than before.”
Who is Rafael Nadal’s next opponent?
After beating Bergs and maintaining his record of never losing back-to-back matches on clay, Nadal booked a spot in the Italian Open second round against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
The 27-year-old is seeded seventh and had a bye in round one, meaning he will not commence his campaign until the second round.
Hurkacz has had a solid clay-court season so far, which began by winning the Estoril Open in April, which marked his first career title on the dirt.
After reaching the last 16 in Monte Carlo and Madrid, the former Wimbledon semi-finalist is looking to build on that result and his big serve and improved all-round clay game will provide problems for Nadal.
Saturday’s encounter will be the first between these two players and we can expect the Italian crowd on centre court to be treated to a gripping contest.
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