Rafael Nadal issues French Open participation update after Madrid Open farewell
Rafael Nadal did not confirm whether he will compete at the 2024 French Open after his emotional final match at the Madrid Open.
The great Spaniard revealed he does not yet “have a clear vision of what is going to happen”, but declared he will announce his Roland Garros decision after his planned appearance at the Italian Open.
Nadal was beaten 7-5, 6-4 by Jiri Lehecka, the world No 31, in the last 16 of the Madrid Open on Tuesday in what was likely his last match in Spain.
After the match on the Manolo Santana Stadium court, a touching ceremony was held to celebrate Nadal and thank him for his huge contribution to the sport.
READ MORE: Rafael Nadal says his body is telling him to quit tennis in emotional farewell speech
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who has divulged that 2024 will likely be the final year of his career, was playing just the second tournament of his latest comeback from injury.
“This is a joke, next year I’m coming back!”
Never change, Rafael Nadal @RafaelNadal #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/yWRkXdMouQ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 30, 2024
The former world No 1, who will turn 38 in June, competed for the first time in over three months at the Barcelona Open in April.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Nadal was asked if he will compete at this year’s French Open after his encouraging run in Madrid.
“I don’t know what can happen, but now I have four games in Madrid behind me. This is the reality. Today I was more muscularly tired, yes, but it is nothing serious,” explained the Mallorcan.
“I have endured several hours of competition at the highest possible level, and that’s the most important thing. At the tennis level, I also leave happier than I arrived, although if I don’t have the confidence that my body can handle tennis, it’s impossible for this to work.
“If my body can handle it well, no. I know what can happen, and although it is difficult to imagine great things today, I stand by what I said the other day: in sports things change quickly and I am doing things in the most prudent way I can, no. I know how to do it better.
“About Paris… after Rome I will say. I understand your urgency and I would also like to have a clear vision of what is going to happen, but since I don’t have it today, I can’t tell you more.
“I hope to be able to play in Rome, if there are no setbacks, and I’m going there with the hope of continuing to evolve.”
READ MORE: Is Rafael Nadal a contender for the French Open? The verdict is in
