Exclusive Interview with Rafael Nadal: Return to Tennis, Prospects, and Expectations

In an exclusive interview granted to “Stade 2” at the Masters 1000 in Rome, Rafael Nadal talks about his return to the tour, his prospects and his expectations for the end of the season he should have had.

He got back. Absent for several months due to a number of injuries raising fears that he would end his career off the court like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal returned to competition in Barcelona in April. After continuing the Masters 1000 in Madrid, then Rome, the Mallorcan now aims Roland-Garros, which he lost in 2023. Ahead of this return to Paris, the 14-time Porte d’Auteuil Grand Slam winner is responsible for Inès Lagdiri-Nastasi, in a special interview broadcast on Sunday May 12 in “Stade 2”. “Happy to be on the tour”he talks about his injuries, his comeback as well as his desire to play Roland-Garros and the Olympic Games.

The last fifteen months have been difficult. You haven’t played much since the 2023 Australian Open What have you been through this time?

Rafael Nadal: It has been a complicated few months, as there have been many moments of uncertainty. When you’re injured, when you break something, you have three months off, you know that. There is a detailed schedule, everything is organized and you know what is going to happen. This was not the case for me. After the Australian Open last year, there were those months of uncertainty until I withdrew from Roland-Garros.

“I was told I was going to recover, but nothing happened. It ended up being an operation.”

Rafael Nadal

at French Televisions

After the job, I wanted to have a clear timeline to help me. But when I felt good again at the beginning of the year in Australia, I had problems, especially with my abdominals. Many things have accumulated. On a sporting level, it was day by day, which was difficult and difficult.

You announced last year that 2024 would be your last season. Were you afraid you couldn’t say goodbye in court?

Yes, that was a possibility. What I said was that I thought this might be my last season. Even if I was never 100% sure. It is true that my body did not do as well as I had hoped, especially at the beginning of the year. It hurt me not to be in Monte Carlo, but I was able to play in Barcelona, ​​​​​​​​in Madrid, and now in Rome. I really hope to be at Roland-Garros. These are competitions that have a fun and emotional value to me. It’s hard to explain in words. I hope I can still play wherever I can.

Tennis: Rafael Nadal believes
Rafael Nadal speaks exclusively. A few days before Roland Garros, the player hopes to be able to participate in this iconic tournament that is so important to him even if his start to the season did not go as he wanted .

Roland-Garros starts in two weeks. What state of mind are you in?

If I can’t play at Roland Garros, it will be very difficult, that’s for sure. But personally, with all the emotions I got there, I think it would be even harder for me to play without being competitive. I don’t want to feel at Roland Garros the way I felt in Madrid or Barcelona, ​​​​​​​​​​​not being able to really fight.

Rafael Nadal lifts the Coupe des Mousquetaires during his victory at Roland-Garros, June 5, 2022. (CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP)

But what does it mean for Rafael Nadal to compete at Roland Garros? Being able to win?

I don’t know if that’s what it means to be competitive. I think he is going to play the tournament thinking that I can be at the highest level, 100%. And if 100% is not enough even to win one game, we have to accept it. But I don’t want to walk into court knowing I have no options. If there is some possibility of winning, I want to try it, I want to try. But if there really isn’t a chance, no, I’d rather stick to other memories.

Is it going to be hard to say goodbye to all those fun feelings?

Of course, it is difficult to accept all the changes in life. But I was lucky to have other things in my life that made me happy, like my family that gives me a lot. But the adrenaline and feelings that give you fun in general are definitely hard to find in your everyday life.

The Olympic Games will also be held at Roland-Garros this year. Is this a goal for you?

Yes, I would love to play in the Olympics. The Olympic Games are unique in the world of sports, be it for tennis, football, basketball, sports that are very popular.

“The Olympics are the heart of sport and this year, like Roland Garros, is very special for me.”

Rafael Nadal

at French Televisions

In addition, in Paris, the most important city of my career. Let’s see, there is still time until then, there are many things ahead. But I hope to be able to play them, I would love to.

Can you measure the impact of everything you’ve done in your career, in the world of tennis, or is it too early to think about that?

On the one hand I had bad luck, and on the other hand I had luck. I had a serious leg injury when I was 18 and there was a chance I would never play tennis at a professional level again. It complicated my sports career on a physical level, but on the other hand, it really helped me appreciate everything I experienced. I’m a bit shy, I’m not a person who does a lot, especially when things are going well. I am experiencing many things inside. But I am aware of everything that happened in my sports career. I am very grateful to everyone who supported me, who helped me. Everyone who made it possible for me to live the life I lived in a very pleasant way.