“If there is a tiny possibility of winning, I want to try,” promises Rafael Nadal

In an exclusive interview granted to “Stade 2” during the Masters 1000 in Rome, Rafael Nadal discusses his return to the circuit, his prospects and his expectations for the end of what should be his last season.

He managed to come back. Absent for many months due to multiple injuries raising fears of an end to his career off the court like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal made his return to competition in Barcelona in April. After having managed to continue with the Masters 1000 in Madrid, then Rome, the Mallorcan is now aiming for Roland-Garros, which he missed in 2023. Before this possible return to Paris, the one who has won the Grand Slam 14 times Porte d’ Auteuil confides in Inès Lagdiri-Nastasi, in an exclusive interview broadcast on Sunday May 12 in “Stade 2”. “Happy to be on the circuit”he talks about his injuries, his return 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 during this time?

Rafael Nadal : It’s been a complicated few months, because there have been a lot of periods of uncertainty. When you’re injured, when you break something, you have three months off, you know that. There is a precise 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 all these months of uncertainty until my withdrawal from Roland-Garros.

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

Rafael Nadal

at France Télévisions

After the operation, I wanted to have a clear timeline to help me. But when I felt good again at the start of the year in Australia, I had problems, particularly with my abdominals. A lot of things have piled up. On a sporting level, it was day to day, which was difficult and frustrating.

You announced last year that 2024 would be your last season. Were you afraid of not being able to say goodbye on court?

Yes, that was a possibility. What I said was that I thought this could be my last season. Even if I have never been 100% sure. It’s true that my body reacted less well than I hoped, especially at the start 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 tournaments that have sporting and sentimental value for me. It’s hard to explain it in words. I have the hope of being able to play wherever I still can.

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 hard, that’s for sure. But personally, with all the emotions I experienced there, I think it would be even harder for me to play without being competitive. I don’t want to feel at Roland Garros like I felt in Madrid or Barcelona, ​​without being able to really fight.

But what does it mean for Rafael Nadal to be competitive at Roland-Garros? Be able to win?

I don’t know if that’s what being competitive is. I think it’s going to play the tournament thinking that I can be at my maximum, 100%. And if 100% is not enough even to win a single match, we will have to accept it. But I don’t want to walk onto the court knowing I have no options. If there is a slight possibility of winning, I want to try it, I want to try. But if there’s really no chance, no, I’d rather stick with other memories.

Is it going to be difficult to say goodbye to all these sports-related emotions?

Of course, all changes in life are difficult to accept. But I was lucky to have other things in life that made me happy, like my family who brings me a lot. But the adrenaline and the sensations that sport gives you in general are certainly difficult to find in everyday life.

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

Yes, I would like to play in the Olympics. The Olympic Games are unique in the world of sport, whether for tennis, football, basketball, sports which are very popular.

“The Olympics are the very essence of sport and this year, as it is at Roland Garros, it is really very special for me.”

Rafael Nadal

at France Télévisions

What’s more, in Paris, the most important city of my career. We’ll see, there’s still time until then, there’s a lot of things ahead. But I hope to be able to play them, I would like that.

Are you able to measure the impact of everything you have 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 significant foot injury when I was 18 and there was a possibility that I wouldn’t play tennis at the professional level again. It complicated my sporting career on a physical level, but on the other hand, it helped me a lot to appreciate everything I experienced. I’m a little shy, I’m not a person who does a lot, especially when things are going well. I’m experiencing a lot of things internally. 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.