Rafael Nadal has struggled with injury concerns in the last 18 months. The veteran Spaniard recently returned to action in Barcelona, where he played two matches. Nadal was knocked out in the second round by in-form Alex de Minaur.
Subsequently, the 22-time Grand Slam was able to qualify for the fourth round of the Madrid Masters, where he avenged his loss against Alex de Minaur. Now, the lefty is all set to take part in the Italian Open, which he has won on 10 occasions.
Nadal will face Zizou Bergs in the opening round in Rome and he is delighted that he is fit to move forward.
“I have been a few days at home, then arrived here on Saturday,” Nadal said in his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday. “I was able more or less to practice well the past few days. I’m excited to be playing in Rome. It’s a tournament that brings me back to a lot of unforgettable memories. My third week almost in a row on the Tour, third tournament in a row. That didn’t happen since a super long time ago. That’s good news.”
Nadal is happy with the recent progress he has made and wants to keep going. The Spaniard will want to keep the good show and end the Italian Open on a high.
“It’s something that is not every day the same. Is not a line like this [going up], it’s a little bit like this [up and down],” Nadal said. “Even after Barcelona, I had some tough moments in Madrid. Even here the first day. But in a general perspective, the line is going up, without a doubt. I am happy to be today where I am because one month ago for me [it] was almost impossible to think that I would be able to play in Barcelona then in Madrid and now being here in Rome. Things are happening.
“It is true that I was able to accept the challenge, accept that some moments I was not able to push the way that I wanted to push. Doing things the proper way and trying to avoid a lot of risks in terms of pushing a lot on the matches, I was able to keep moving. Madrid was a good test for me playing I think two days in a row, one match over three hours. My feelings are better always. In terms of tennis, too. Why not? I am here to try my best.”
Nadal won his maiden Italian Open title in 2005 after beating Guillermo Coria in a thrilling five-set contest.
“It is always a great feeling [to] be playing here. The crowd here is very passionate. Amazing matches with Coria, with Roger the first two times I played here,” Nadal said while recalling his early success.
“Then I was able to achieve that tournament a lot of times. It is a tournament that is part of the history of our sport. It is a very traditional, important tournament in our Tour. I’m excited and feel lucky to be playing here again at this stage of my career. I am motivated for tomorrow and for the tournament.”
