I said it yesterday in my article and the prediction turned out to be correct: Rafael Nadal shared a message with his fans, explaining how his presence at the ATP Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell is still in doubt. But feeling seems positive.
Nadal has already arrived in Barcelona, with the aim of finally returning to the court and playing the Spanish tournament. Rafa started training on the Rafael Nadal Court (The Center Court of the tournament dedicated to him – ed.) to test his conditions and have a clearer idea of his current physical situation.
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The Spanish champion will try not to further prolong the period of forced stoppage and to give himself more emotions on the surface that he loves most, in what should be his retirement year.
“Hello from Barcelona. First training with the joy of being here these days before the start of the tournament. I’m here to see how it goes and with the desire to try to play. I’m not confirming my participation, I hope to be able to play,” he wrote on his Instagram account.
Hola desde Barcelona 👋🏻Primer entreno… con la ilusiĂłn de estar aquĂ estos dĂas previos al inicio del torneo.Estoy aquĂ para ver quĂ© tal… con las ganas de intentar jugar. Ya os irĂ© contando.Importante decir que no quiero confirmar que jugarĂ©, ojalá que sĂ.Ya veremos 🤞🏻 pic.twitter.com/N9cVDbO3N1
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) April 10, 2024
Salta Rafa Nadal a la pista del CT Barcelona con la intención de probarse para el Godó que arranca esta misma semana @elchiringuitotv pic.twitter.com/xO8cZqoshO
— Marc Fuster (@mfuster) April 10, 2024
Nadal only played in the ATP Brisbane International tournament this year, picking up a new injury. A micro lesion to the muscle that didn’t seem like it could represent such a serious problem at the origin, but which turned out to be a real burden.
“It’s becoming difficult for me. It’s been a difficult year and a half, I’m trying every day. I’m not ruling out anything, not even being in Barcelona or Madrid, but at the moment I won’t be able to get there due to physical problems. On a personal level everything is fine; on a professional level it’s difficult,” explained Nadal in a recent interview with Movistar on the occasion of the final of the Copa del Rey, the Spanish soccer competition.
Of great concern, according to what was reported by the Spanish media, would be the service movement which at this moment would not allow Nadal to hit the ball without feeling pain.
The 22-time Slam champion tried to participate in the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (he had traveled directly to the United States) and the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters, but in both cases he announced his withdrawal a few days before the main draw draw .
What had happened in the past few days
Nadal announced his withdrawal from the Monte Carlo tournament a few days ago. After the social post in which he made the announcement, Rafa granted an interview to Movistar +.
The Spanish champion talked about his current situation and the physical problems that still keep him away from competition. And also the possibility that he could be on the field next week at the ATP 500 in Barcelona and in the following weeks at the Masters 1000 in Madrid.
“Unfortunately my body doesn’t allow me to do it. It’s been a difficult year and a half. The truth is that everything is becoming difficult, I’m trying every day, I have things to resolve and the reality is that right now I can’t put myself in a position to compete, it’s hard, but honestly on a personal level everything is fine, on a professional level, it’s difficult.
Ultimately you have to evaluate everything that has happened in your career. In bad times you also remember that you have experienced things that you never dreamed of experiencing and I keep trying even if the situation is complicated,” he told.
“I’m going day by day. I’m not ruling out anything, neither being in Barcelona next week, nor being in Madrid. I haven’t been able to be in Monte Carlo because I’ve had an abdominal problem for two months, since I returned from Australia.
I recovered quickly from the injury in Australia, then one day while training I started having abdominal discomfort. We’re trying very carefully and that’s the truth,” he explained.