Italian Open: Rafael Nadal’s Confident Statement on ‘Fear’ Proves That He Is Ready to Put Body at Risk for Roland Garros

The end of Rafael Nadal’s career is nearing with each passing day. Potentially the final year of his illustrious career, the Spaniard will play his last French Open tournament in a few days. A tournament where he has been the most successful player, Rafael Nadal, is short on match practice going into the clay-court Grand Slam tournament. As a result, he opened up about his fear ahead of the tournament.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion is struggling physically this year. Despite this, he is ready to put his body on the line to have one last laugh at the French Open before he retires. Nadal is currently in Italy where he’s playing in the Italian Open. During an interview, he talked about his participation at Roland Garros.

Nadal said, “I have Roland Garros in just two weeks and a half, so… Arrive a moment that I need to prove myself if I am able to push my body to the limit that I need to push to feel myself ready for what’s coming. I am not talking only about Roland Garros. I am talking about the next match. I need to lose this fear. Matches like today help. Some moments I was moving faster. Some moments not. I need to get used to that, to take that risk.”

Further, he went on to add, “It’s a moment to me that happen. If something wrong happens, we going to accept it. But that’s the moment to push. I feel more ready to try it than before.” Although Nadal has been struggling with poor form and fitness, his compatriot feels that we will see the best of him at the French Open.

Alex Corretja backs Rafael Nadal to shine at the French Open

Going into the French Open this year, Nadal hasn’t been able to play consistently on the tour. While injuries have been a major reason for this, Nadal has also struggled for form, which has added to his inconsistency. While many have doubted his French Open chances, Alex Corretja hopes to see the best of him in Paris.

He said, “For me, if Rafa is able to play between 15 and 20 matches from January until Roland Garros. There is no doubt that he is going to be in very good shape to think about returning to success at Roland Garros. At best five sets, he knows he get into his territory. There is no one better in history than him.”

Nadal is the undisputed ‘King of Clay’ and has won the French Open a record 14 titles there. Thus, fans can write him off at their own peril at the upcoming Grand Slam tournament.