Rafael Nadal gives latest French Open update after stunning Madrid victory
Rafael Nadal has again expressed caution about his French Open participation despite extending his Madrid Open run.
In front of a raucous home crowd on Saturday, Nadal shocked world No 11 Alex de Minaur 7-6(6), 6-3 in Madrid, getting revenge after losing to the Australian ten days previously in Barcelona.
While Nadal wilted physically in Barcelona, he looked physically engaged throughout this encounter, an encouraging sign considering his recent physical struggles.
Before the tournament, he had cast doubt on whether he would be fit enough to play at Roland Garros – an event he has won 14 times – which starts in just under a month.
And, despite his encouraging Madrid run, he revealed to Tennis Channel he was still throwing caution to the wind regarding a potential Paris farewell.
He said: “I just take day by day. I don’t know how many more tournaments I’m going to be able to play.
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“I’m just enjoying the chance to spend a few more days here, playing in front of the crowd. Playing at home is so special, so I’ll just take one moment in time and enjoy that fact.
“To have the chance to spend one more day here in Madrid is a dream come true for me. Then, let’s see. One more tournament and then after Roland Garros, I don’t know yet about playing there or not.
“It’s a process, my body is going to let me know what’s the right decision. When that moment arrives, I’m probably going to know what to do.
“Today is just a moment to keep going and keep dreaming.”
Nadal lost a narrow first set in his Barcelona match against de Minaur and then faded badly in a 7-5, 6-1 defeat on the court named after him.
Thank YOU, Rafa.@RafaelNadal | @MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/LzT6nmrp5F
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 27, 2024
But he held firm to take the opening set on Saturday, and himself controlled the second set this time around.
It was not all plain sailing with the Spaniard initially spurning a 6-2 tiebreak lead, and he admitted he was still unsure if he could have turned the contest around had he dropped the opener.
However, he was optimistic about his fitness and hailed the huge crowd support he received.
He added: “Today I felt ready to keep fighting, but don’t know if would have had the energy to fight for two more hours. Super happy to be here in Madrid, playing in front of these amazing people. [It] Makes me feel so happy.
“Today I was able to hold it more or less OK and be able to be competitive against a great player like Alex. It means a lot to me. I’m just enjoying the fact that I am in the third round and I hope to be ready [for his third round match].
“To play here for me, it’s so special. Since the first time that I started playing in this city in 2003 until today, the support, it is impossible to describe in words.
“I really believe that I will never have the chance to thank enough all these people for everything they make me feel.”
