“Every match that I play here, I don’t know if it’s gonna be my last match in Roland Garros” – Rafael Nadal

Nadal will take on world No 1 Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the French Open on Tuesday

Rafael Nadal, Roland-Garros 2022 © AI / Reuters / Panoramic

May 30, 2022

Coming into Roland-Garros, there were several questions raised surrounding the physical fitness and lingering foot injury of Rafael Nadal.

While the Spaniard has looked in good form through his first four rounds, even surviving a five-set fourth-round clash against Felix Auger-Aliassime on Sunday, Nadal’s foot injury continues to remain a source of constant discussion and speculation.

Nadal : “I can’t complain but…”

On Sunday speaking to the media after his win over Auger-Aliassime, Nadal said he has been playing every match this fortnight with the awareness that it could be his last career match at the French Open, a tournament he has won a staggering 13 times in his career so far.

“I can’t complain much. I am in quarter-finals of Roland Garros. Two and a half weeks ago, even if I had good hopes after, positive hopes after Rome, I even don’t know if I would be able to be here. So just enjoying the fact that I am here for one more year. And being honest, every match that I play here, I don’t know if gonna be my last match here in Roland Garros in my tennis career, no? That’s my situation now,” Nadal said.

“Of course I went through a tough process again with my foot, so I don’t know what can happen in the near future with my career. But that’s why I am just trying to enjoy as much as possible and fight as much as I can to keep living the dream that is keep playing tennis and be back in a very advanced round of Roland Garros, playing against the World No. 1.”

I hope to be able to give myself a chance to play at the highest level possible and then let’s see
Rafael Nadal

On Tuesday, Nadal will take on world No 1 and arch rival Novak Djokovic for the 59th time in their career. The match has been highly anticipated since the moment the draw for this year’s French Open came out and the Spaniard says he is looking forward to the contest against the player who beat him last year.

“I didn’t play this kind of matches for the last three months, so gonna be a big challenge for me. Of course he already won I think last nine matches in a row, winning in Rome and now winning here in straight sets every match. Probably he will be confident. I know how is my situation, and I accept it well. I gonna fight for it. No, no, that’s it. Let’s see. I hope to be able to give myself a chance to play at the highest level possible and then let’s see.”