Rafael Nadal is not sure on French Open participation

Rafael Nadal is uncertain regarding his participation in the French Open following his straight-sets defeat by seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz at the Rome Masters.

Hurkacz’s decisive victory over Nadal, ending the Spaniard’s longstanding dominance at the tournament, has left the 37-year-old contemplating his next move. Despite battling through a three-set win in the previous round, Nadal succumbed to Hurkacz in a match lasting 93 minutes, as he faced multiple breaks before being defeated.

Nadal’s recent struggles, compounded by ongoing physical issues stemming from past injuries, have cast doubt on his readiness for the French Open, an event he has triumphed in a record 14 times.

Rafa Nadal says he doesn’t feel ready to compete at Roland Garros, but he’s going to do everything possible to change that:

“I don’t want to make a decision yet. There are two possible paths. I think I am not prepared to compete at Roland Garros because of what I have done… pic.twitter.com/5EMYTWlElF

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 11, 2024

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“You can see today on the court how difficult is,” Nadal told reporters.

“Probably one is to say, ‘Okay, I’m not ready, I’m not playing well’. Then it’s the moment to take a decision in terms of not playing Roland Garros. Another is accept how I am today and work the proper way to try to be in a different way in two weeks.

“The decision, as you can imagine, is not clear in my mind today. But if I have to say what’s my feeling and if my mind is closer one way or the other way, I’m going to say ‘Be in Roland Garros and try my best’.

“Physically, I have some issues, but not probably yet enough to say not playing in the most important event of my tennis career.”