ROMA-. Rafael Nadal was optimistic before entering the fray in the Rome Masters 1000in what will presumably be his last participation in the Italian capital: “The line is going up,” said the former world No. 1 this Wednesday.
“In general, that line is going upwards, without any doubt (…) I am here to give the best of myself,” the 37-year-old Mallorcan declared at a press conference.
“All the matches are now more difficult and more unpredictable for me than they were before, especially on clay (…) but the prospects are good if I continue working in the right way and if my body allows it” Rafa continued.
Nadal, hampered by injuries the last two seasons, returns to Rome for the first time since 2022, a tournament he won a record ten times, the last in 2021.
Currently 305th in the world, he will face the Belgian Zizou Bergs, 108th in the ATP rankings and coming from the previous ones.
After returning to the circuit in Barcelona last month, after a forced three-month break, Nadal, eliminated in the second round in Barcelona and in the round of 16 at the Madrid Masters 1000, celebrated “chaining for the first time in a long time” a third consecutive tournament.
“I am happy with the level I am at now, a month ago it was almost impossible for me to be able to think about playing in Barcelona, then in Madrid and being here in Rome,” recalled the king of clay, who avoided commenting on the after the Italian tournament and especially on Roland Garros (May 26-June 9), although he insisted, as he had done in Madrid, that he will compete in the Parisian Grand Slam only if he feels “prepared.”
According to his statements and the optimism he shows, he could participate for the last time on the Parisian clay court, where he won 14 times.
Source: AFP
