Nadal would only play at the French Open if he felt ‘capable of competing’.
Rafael Nadal says he will only play at the French Open next month if he believes he can compete.
Nadal, a 14-time Roland Garros champion, will miss the French Open for the first time in 19 years due to an injury in 2023.
The 37-year-old has hinted that he intends to retire after the 2024 season.
He is poised to make his final appearance in the Madrid Open this week, facing American 16-year-old Darwin Blanch in the first round on Thursday.
If I were in Paris today, I would not go out to play, Nadal stated.
I don’t think I’ll be able to play at my full potential, but it’s crucial to play one last time in Madrid. It means a lot to me to play on this court, where I’ve had some amazing experiences.
Nadal made his most recent return from injury after a three-month hiatus at the Barcelona Open last week, winning his first match before losing to Australian Alex de Minaur.
The 22-time major champion has only played five matches since January 2023 due to hip and abdominal ailments. He was once ranked first in the world but is now ranked 644th.
The French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year, begins on May 26.
I was unsure whether I would be able to return to the professional circuit a few weeks ago. It’s not perfect, but at least I’m playing and enjoying it again, especially in tournaments that are so emotional for me. I’m having so much fun that I’ll probably say my goodbyes on the court, Nadal said.
Without wanting to confuse anyone, he said, I have no idea what will happen in the next three weeks.
I’ll do everything I need to to perform in Paris. And if I can, I can; if not, I cannot. I’m heading to Paris if I feel good enough. I’ll travel to Paris if I believe I can compete.
