Rafael Nadal was so impressive as he defeated Alex De Minaur yesterday, overcoming the affable Australian, having been dumped out of the Barcelona Open by him just last week.
It marks the steady return to fitness and form for the Spaniard, who seems to simply be seeking to recapture his level ahead of the French Open.
Unsurprisingly, all of the post-match talk was centred around that upcoming tournament.
Rafael Nadal shares what could stop him from playing French Open
Speaking immediately after his remarkable straight-sets victory over De Minaur, Tennis TV provided footage of Nadal’s interview.
And despite his solid return to form, he remained coy on his thoughts over his fitness and his level leading up to Roland Garros despite having touted a potential doubles partnership with Carlos Alcaraz in the works.
In fact, when asked about his thoughts on playing in that competition, he suggested that if he does not feel absolutely perfect he is prepared to pull out.
Nadal noted: ‘I have no idea. I think the last few days my body feels improved a little bit, but not sure yet.
‘I understand for you [who are not in my team] sometimes it’s difficult to understand some things but for me, Roland Garros is the most important tournament of my tennis career, and all the things that I lived there, enjoyed there, stays in my heart forever.
‘So 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 and you know, let’s go on court and dream about what can happen now.
‘So if I am not able to go on court and dream, even if it’s the minimum, minimum percentage, for me, it doesn’t make sense to go on court.
‘No, I prefer to stay with all the amazing memories that I have. I want to be there and even losing but, you know, go on court with the chance to dream about something important. If that happens, I’m going to 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 on court.
‘That’s the feeling and it’s best of five so I need to… it’s a different story.’
Rafael Nadal is a legend regardless of how he bows out
Whilst it only makes sense to try and preserve his legacy and record at Roland Garros by only playing if he feels he can compete, a potential early exit would do little to harm his legendary status.
Everyone understands that, at 37 years old, he is far from the peak of his powers.
And whilst that level is still above most other players on tour, his potential inability to endure five-set slogs might see him struggle in Grand Slams.
But, Roland Garros is his tournament, and it would really be criminal if he ended his career without enjoying one last foray onto the courts that he has made his second home across the last two decades.
Nadal’s name is synonymous with the French Open, and rightly so, having won the competition a record 14 times.
His stance on the matter does make sense, but regardless of whether he reaches the final or endures a first-round exit, his legend around Philippe Chatrier would not be tarnished by the performances of an aged, injury-ravaged veteran.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
