Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal said being able to return to action at the Barcelona Open was a gift. Therefore, he wants to enjoy every moment of what he hopes will be the final year of his career.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has not played an ATP Tour match since January, when he suffered a recurrence of a hip injury at the Brisbane International tournament.
Nadal, who is out for most of the 2023 season, will face Italian Flavio Cobolli, Tuesday (16/4), in the first round on the court that bears his name, Pista Rafa Nadal.
The 37-year-old withdrew from the Monte Carlo Masters at the start of April and hopes to compete at Roland Garros in May, where he is a 14-time champion.
“Instead of regretting what I couldn’t do, I would rather be happy because I am here,” Nadal said at the Barcelona Open press conference, quoted from AFP, Tuesday (16/4).
“Personally, being at Barcelona is a blessing for me. I consider this my last year and I want to enjoy every moment,” he continued.
Also read: Nadal will play in Barcelona ahead of the French Open
Nadal, who is the record 12-time Barcelona Open champion, has not played a match on clay since winning the French Open in 2022.
Despite considering 2024 to be his final year as a professional, the tennis veteran said he has no set deadline for retirement.
“We will keep going until I feel like it’s not worth it,” Nadal continued.
Also read: Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Barcelona openly
“I don’t set a deadline for it, but as I said, in the end life will determine your path,” he added.
The draw at the Barcelona Open put Nadal on a collision course with Spanish compatriot Carlos Alcaraz to potentially meet in the semi-finals, but the 20-year-old was forced to withdraw due to fitness problems.
“Let’s hope he recovers well and quickly, it’s bad for the tournament because he’s the top seed,” Nadal said.
“I’m not in a position to think about the semifinals,” he concluded. (Ant/Z-1)
#Rafael #Nadal #Enjoy #Moment #Barcelona #Open