(Paris) Rafael Nadal, who has been weakened for several days by a painful right thigh, “does not know” if he will play Sunday in singles in the Olympic tournament shortly after his victory in doubles with his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, he declared Saturday evening in front of the press.
The Spaniard, who is apparently playing his last Olympic Games, is scheduled to face Hungarian Marton Fucsovics on Sunday in the second match scheduled on the central court at Roland Garros. In the event of a victory, he would face his great rival Novak Djokovic in the 2e round.
“I’m going to talk with my team and make the smartest decision possible to have the best chance to bring home a medal,” he explained after winning his first round doubles match with Carlos Alcaraz against the Argentine pair Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni, eliminated 7-6 (4), 6-4.
Nadal has been struggling with his share of physical problems for several months. He has never regained his level since his injury at the Australian Open in January 2023, which kept him away from the courts for a year.
On Thursday, he cancelled a training session, raising doubts about his participation in the Olympic tournament, before returning to the courts with a bandage on his thigh.
“Sometimes more is not always more, sometimes more is less. I’m not telling you I’m not going to play, not at all, that’s a thought I have,” he added.
“Tomorrow (Sunday) we will decide whether I play or not. Maybe I will decide today, but I am not ready to answer you, because I do not know,” he said.
Regarding his doubles match with Carlos Alcaraz, Nadal spoke of an “unforgettable moment.” “In this setting, playing together, representing Spain at the Olympics, it’s an unbeatable combo,” he added.