despite his defeat in Madrid, Rafael Nadal reassures himself and gains momentum three weeks before Roland-Garros

The 37-year-old Spaniard lost in the round of 16 on Tuesday. He will test himself again at the Masters 1000 in Rome, from May 8, before deciding on his participation in the French Open.

Take something positive from a defeat. At the twilight of his career, Rafael Nadal learned to be content with being able to string together four high-intensity matches in the same tournament, he who played the same number… over the entire year 2023. The Spaniard The 37-year-old lost on Tuesday April 30 in the round of 16 of the Masters 1000 in Madrid against Jiri Lehecka (7-5, 6-4. “I’ve taken steps forward, that’s for sure, then we’ll see if I’m able to consolidate this progress. I arrived here with doubts, I’m leaving with fewer doubts. It’s been an incredibly week positive”, reacted the current 512th player in the world after his defeat.

Injured in Brisbane in January, Rafael Nadal returned to the courts in Barcelona on April 16. After a warm-up round against the young Italian Flavio Cobolli, the “bull of Manacor” lost, unable to fight in the second set against the Australian and 11th in the world, Alex de Minaur (7-5, 6-1) . A worrying form which made him say, before his entry into contention in Madrid, that he would not play at Roland-Garros if he arrived in the same state.

First victory in three sets

For his last on Madrid soil, or even in Spain, Rafael Nadal gained strength over the course of the meetings. A first round against the tender American Darwin Blanch (6-1, 6-0), then a convincing victory, in the form of revenge, over Alex de Minaur (7-6, 6-3). Above all, the Spaniard proved that his physique allowed him to win after three rounds and three hours of play (6-1, 6-7, 6-3 against Pedro Cachin).

“I saw reassuring signs, particularly in a few races, remarks Arnaud Clément, consultant for franceinfo: sport. His speed, against Lehecka, was not bad at all. The problem is that in our heads, we compare to Nadal’s standards.” The former 10th in the world recalls that the five-time winner of the Masters 1000 in Madrid does not appreciate the conditions of this tournament at altitude, which do not correspond to his qualities unlike that of Rome, which he has won ten times .

Faster service and travel

In Madrid, the former world number 1 made progress in his movements but also in his services, he who had visibly preserved himself in Barcelona in this sector of play. “There are still plenty of things that can be improved. We feel that he lacks confidence in his shots, in his taking initiatives. He lacks time for high-intensity training, it’s not illogical”, deciphers Arnaud Clément.

To string together matches and continue his progress, Rafael Nadal will have to rely on luck to avoid the big fish in the first rounds. With his ranking, he is no longer protected by seeded status in the draws.

“It’s just a question of physics. Will he hold on? He can’t afford to manage anymore and at Roland Garros, we will move to another format.”

Arnaud Clément, tennis consultant

at franceinfo: sport

In Paris, Rafael Nadal could be taken to Paris on five-set marathons. “I think he has the physique to win a match in five sets, but can he continue on to fifteen days ? He could also be less dominant and let more energy into the first laps.”warns Arnaud Clément.

The precedent of 2022

After his defeat in Madrid, the Spaniard was already planning on the next meeting but refused to comment on Roland-Garros, one of the two major objectives of his season with the Olympic Games. “For Paris, I will tell you after Rome. I hope to be able to play in Rome, if there are no setbacks, and continue to develop.”

“If he continues this way, for me, Rafael Nadal will be difficult to beat at Roland Garros, predicts Arnaud Clément. He’s already won Roland without playing very well, because he’s a scary player, who knows how to win sets even when he doesn’t dominate.” In 2022, with only three matches won on earth in his legs, Rafael Nadal won his 14th title at Porte d’Auteuil.