“The decision is not clear in my mind” – Nadal undecided on Roland-Garros
The ten-time champion in Rome was knocked out by Hubert Hurkacz and is considering his next steps
Inside/Panoramic
After a chastening 6-1, 6-3 defeat to Hubert Hurkacz knocked him out of Rome, Rafael Nadal refused to confirm that he intends to compete at Roland-Garros this year.
Instead, he told journalists in his post-match press conference that he had two options to consider – although he did add that he was more inclined to play than not.
“Probably one is to say, ‘Okay, I am not ready, I am not playing enough well.’ Then is the moment to take a decision in terms of not playing Roland Garros.
“Another is accept how I am today and work the proper way to try to be in a different way in two weeks.
“The decision, as you can imagine, is not clear in my mind today. But if I have to say what’s my feeling and if my mind is closer one way or the other way, I going to say be in Roland Garros and try my best.
“Physically I have some issues, but not probably yet enough to say not playing in the most important event of my tennis career.
“Let’s see what’s going on, how I feel myself mentally tomorrow, after tomorrow, and in one week. If I feel ready, I going to try to be there and fight for the things that I have been fighting the last 15 years, if now seems impossible.”
Nadal: Alcaraz and I won’t play doubles in Roland-Garros
He hinted that he still intends to play doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz at the Olympic Games – but they were unlikely to get chance to compete in a tournament together ahead of the summer.
“I don’t know yet. I mean, he got injured in Madrid. I was not with enough good physical conditions to play before. Looks difficult because not remaining lot of tournaments that we can play together before Olympics. Remain only Roland-Garros, and that will not be the case. I don’t know later. Looks difficult, but let’s see.”
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