Rafael Nadal, who is attempting a final return to form at almost 38 years old, explained that he had to “regain confidence in (her) body “, after his first victory against a top 20 player in almost a year and a half, at the Masters 1000 in Madrid on Saturday April 27. Nadal beat 11e world player, Australian Alex de Minaur, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 in just over two hours in the second round.
“I have to be convinced that my physique will respond to change my perspective (on Roland-Garros). It’s not a match that will change my perspective. I need to regain confidence in my body. Afterwards, I have to regain confidence in myself, in my tennis”explains the Spaniard at the 14 Roland-Garros.
” It’s positive “
“Let’s not get carried away by the emotion of a match either. There are a lot of things to adjust. At least I’m competitive. It was a very positive match. I was able to do things I hadn’t done last week (in Barcelona). In training, the last three days have been slightly better physically, that’s positive too, he elaborates. I managed to maintain a more or less correct physical level and level of play for a little over two hours. My body held on. It is very important for me. Now let’s see how I recover and what state I wake up in tomorrow (Sunday). »
Asked once again about Roland-Garros, which opens in a month, Nadal described what would guide his decision in the coming weeks: “If I have the hope of having the means to play a few days in a row, to fight for the balls that I have to fight for to get by, I will go. If I know my body won’t last the whole tournament, I won’t go. If I can’t dream, even a little bit, about what could happen, it doesn’t make sense. I prefer to keep all the extraordinary memories I have there”he concludes.
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“I played two matches last week. If all goes well, this week I will play a third. That’s at least five matches in two weeks. This is an important step forward for me. I haven’t been able to do that in two years, traces Nadal. It gives me a chance to continue testing myself. »
