Rafael Nadal lost to Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-1 in the second round of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell on Wednesday, but the 37-year-old Spaniard sounded optimistic about playing later during the clay-court swing in Madrid, Rome, and Paris.
Nadal was competitive in the first set, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to earn a break point that would have given him a 5-3 advantage. After the former world No. 1 dropped the opener, however, he seemed to play more cautious tennis in the second and things went downhill.
“On a personal level, for what is to come, the 6-1 in the second set is what had to happen today,” Nadal explained. “That’s the way I need to proceed today, to give me a chance to compete at Roland Garros. I’ll try to take a step further in Madrid, then in Rome. And if in any tournament it’s worth going out there to give everything and die, it’s in Paris.”
The 2024 season is expected to be Nadal’s last on the ATP Tour. He has given no confirmation but indicated that he was “realistically” making his final appearance in Barcelona. It is a tournament he has won 12 times.
“I had the chance to say goodbye here on court and that means a lot for me,” Nadal said following his loss. “A week ago I felt I was not able to play any more at this event, that would be painful, but at least I played and now it’s the moment to keep going.”
Friday’s semifinals in Barcelona include Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Arthur Fils, and Cameron Norrie. De Minaur fell to Fils in straight sets on Thursday.
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probably shouldn’t play BOTH Madrid and Rome
Skip Madrid then. His worse clay surface. But then , with so little match practice, how is he going to prepare for RG best of five setters?
Rome will be more than enough if he wins 2 or 3 matches
You do realise, that due to his ranking, Rafa is bound to face top players from the first round of every next tournament including FO, he was dismantled (looked lost) by, on clay, mediocre De Manure?!
Disregard previous post, I forgot Rafa is using protected rankings.
you don’t get seeded with a protected ranking
The least risky option is to play both and if he goes deep at Madrid then play 1 or 2 matches at Rome.