Rafael Nadal is unsure whether he will be able to play at the French Open next month as he continues his comeback from injury at the Madrid Open on Thursday – live on Sky Sports.
Before his first round match in Madrid against 16-year-old American Darwin Blanch, Nadal said he was far from being in top form and was only playing as a personal sacrifice.
Meanwhile, Roland-Garros tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said on Thursday that the 22-time Grand Slam champion is unlikely to be seeded at the French Open.
“If I were in Paris today, I wouldn’t go out to play,” Nadal told reporters.
“I don’t think I can play 100 percent, but it’s important to be able to play in Madrid for the last time. It means a lot to me to play on this court where I have achieved great performances.” moments.
“That doesn’t mean I’m going to miss out on anything in the next few weeks, I don’t know what could happen.”
“I will do the things I have to do to be able to play in Paris. And if I can, I can, and if I can’t, I can’t.”
“I go to Paris when I feel like I’m good enough… I go to Paris when I feel capable enough to compete.”
Nadal is unlikely to be seeded at the French Open
Nadal has plummeted to 512th in the rankings after a long layoff that saw him miss almost a year with a hip flexor injury.
Thanks to his protected placement, the 37-year-old is in the main draw of the French Open, but this does not apply to the seeding.
Only the 32 best-placed players will be seeded.
Rafael Nadal is a record 14-time winner of the French Open
Until 2020, Wimbledon was the only one of the four Grand Slams that did not adhere to the ATP and WTA rankings, but also took into account a player’s previous performance on grass.
Since Nadal is unseeded, he could play against top players in the early rounds of the tournament. Asked about the issue, Roland Garros tournament director Mauresmo told reporters: “It’s not an issue at the moment…”
“Wimbledon has been doing it for a very, very, very long time and it certainly brought some advantages, but we also saw all the disadvantages that it could bring. It’s not up for debate at the moment.”
“We keep our fingers crossed for him above all, and for ourselves too, of course. We’re keeping a close eye on what’s happening for him on the pitch. We are in contact with his team.”
“Whether there is a tribute depends entirely on him. We will follow his wishes.”
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Nadal lost to Alex de Minaur in the second round of the Barcelona Open
Nadal, a record 14-time winner at Roland-Garros, lost to Alex de Minaur in the second round in Barcelona last week, in only his second tournament in 15 months after undergoing hip surgery last summer.
“Hopefully I can play without many restrictions,” said Nadal before his opening match in Madrid against Blanch. “Then we’ll see what happens. If I play without restrictions, even if I lose, then it will be positive.”
He added: “The goal is to stay on the pitch and have fun for as long as possible.”
“That’s the thing, trying to finish the tournament healthy in terms of body issues and enjoying the fact that I can compete again on the professional tour and here at home in Madrid, a place that is close to me in terms of offers everything.” of support.
“I’m not losing hope. I just accept the situation I have today.”
“I don’t play badly. It’s more about physical limitations.”
“Nadal will not endanger Roland-Garros”
Anne Keothavong on Sky Sports Tennis:
“It’s a little worrying. Obviously, he [Nadal] isn’t anywhere near 100 percent fit, but you can understand why he’s here and why he would do everything in his power to give himself a chance to play.
“However he feels, there is one thing he will definitely not want to jeopardize: his chances of playing at Roland-Garros. He wants to give himself the best possible chance to win the trophy there.”
“Despite everything, I’m sure he still has the winning mentality.
Colin Fleming on Sky Sports Tennis:
“It may be a farewell performance, similar to the one he spoke in Barcelona.”
“It will be great to see him back on the pitch. I hope he can play and compete at a level where he feels like he can show his game and do himself justice.”
“If he can’t do it, I don’t think he’ll hang around for too long, like he said – which is really sad.”
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