Only Rafael Nadal himself knows what Rafael Nadal’s real ambitions are for the upcoming Roland Garros. And perhaps his uncle, Toni Nadal, will have also guessed it, as he shared a sensational update on the Spanish champion’s participation in the Parisian Slam and about Rafa’s future.
The former coach of the legendary Spanish champion knows his nephew Rafa very well and knows what he wants to get from the tournaments he plays. In an interview reported by tennisuptodate.com, Toni clarified that his nephew will play in Paris only if he is certain he can win the tournament, and not – for example – to play and lose in the 4th round.
“Winning the Roland Garros and retiring would be the dream ending, but I think that if he succeeds he will want to continue. He would not retire, in that case. At the 2022 Australian Open he had Covid-19 three days before the trip then he tested negative and he still didn’t know whether to travel.
In the end he decided to leave, he started with little preparation and won the tournament. He won’t go to the Roland Garros to lose in the round of 16, but only if he thinks he can win the tournament. He won’t drag himself onto the court, he still has confidence thanks to his mentality and his way of being.
He won’t go to Roland Garros to lose in the round of 16,” said Toni.
Nadal has played three tournaments on clay and the Spanish media take his presence at the Roland Garros almost as a given.
In Barcelona we didn’t see his best tennis and Alex de Minaur defeated him in the second round. In Madrid, however, Rafa raised the level and only surrendered to one of the best versions of Jiri Lehecka, in the round of 16.
Finally, at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, there was a clear defeat against Hubert Hurkacz. Right in Rome, Rafa gave interesting updates on his future. “I accept the situation, as I said at the beginning of the tournament.
I have always felt the support and love of the people, the same goes for Rome. Now everyone is more excited because they won’t have many opportunities to see me play again. I am still the tennis player who has won several times here.
I want to be remembered for the results I achieved and as a person who set a positive example. Today was difficult. I have to accept that I wasn’t ready and I didn’t play well enough. The time has come to make a decision about the Roland Garros, whether to play there or not.
We play in two weeks, I don’t have a clear decision. If I have to describe to you the sensations I have in my head, I would say that I will play Roland Garros and do my best. I have some problems, but not enough to say I can’t play in the most important event of my career.
We’ll see how I feel mentally and physically tomorrow morning. If I feel well, I will try to play the Roland Garros. I have always said that I will never be able to thank the fans enough for the love I have received throughout my career all over the world.
I played some of my most important and exciting matches here in Rome. I have often found my tennis again after difficult moments in Rome. I’ve always had fun, I don’t know if it was my last time here, There’s a good chance it will be.
I never said it will be my last time here in Rome. I said it in Madrid, here I’m still not sure if it was my last time. So it’s a different situation than in Madrid. I didn’t expect any ceremony after the match,” explained Rafa.
As reported by Diari de Mallorca, Rafa’s coach Carlos Moya talked about the possible participation of the 22-time Slam champion at the Roland Garros, explaining how nothing has yet been decided.
“Nothing has been decided yet. He is competing, the results are not the usual, but he is well, he is happy. It is not what we are used to, but I also knew that it was a very difficult process. Now we will try to move forward this week, the idea is to be at Roland Garros next week.
The goal is to move forward day by day because these are the conditions,” he told. In another interview for IB3 Televisió, Moya added: “We are moving forward little by little, entering the competition, trying to pick up a rhythm.
He comes from very far away, with various injuries during these months…. It is clear that he lacks a bit of competitive rhythm, but he will not have it because there are no more tournaments. Anything that can be coached and added quality time on the field will add up.
Since Barcelona there has been an evolution on a physical and mental level, but above all in having certain guarantees of being able to withstand a five-set match.”
