The big moment is approaching for Rafa Nadal. This Saturday the Olympic tournament starts in Parisone of the events marked on his calendar since he returned to the slopes in April after a long injury layoff.
The Spaniard, who has been training in the French capital, came with a little more competitive rhythm than expected after reaching the final last week at the Bastad tournamentwhere he won four in a row before losing in the final against Portuguese Nuno Borges, a match that left a bad taste in his mouth.
Bitter aftertaste
“I know things will not be easy. I have to take things as they come and try to improve. I played very badly and I am sad about that. I struggle to play worse than I did. I am powerless even though it is normal because he hasn’t raced for a long time for several days in a row. I have had long matches and Nuno Borges deserved to win,” he said in the press conference after the final.
Nadal regrets that he did not get on the court the good level shown in the previous training sessions. “I had good feelings from training but I haven’t transferred them to the games yet. The level of play was far from what I had in training. I have to play better to be competitive”.
The Spaniard played the last two years after his victory at Roland Garros 2022, the last time he bid for a trophy. And since then, in addition, he has not been able to play four games in a row. However, he demands himself.
“I looked for solutions but my level is far from what it should be. It is important that the body holds up well during the week but physically as well as mentally I ran out of energy.. That might be a reason for my poor play in this final. I have to analyze many things,” he hinted.
Double Olympic challenge
The Olympic Games. Paris 2024 is the challenge of the Spaniard who came to France to compete in the individual draw and share the doubles with Carlos Alcaraz. “I am excited to be part of the Olympic team and represent Spain. The Games are the most important event in sport. If I can play good tennis at individual level I will do the same in doubles but I will have to see what happened this week. Carlos Alcaraz will be at a high level because he comes with confidence and we will train together“said Nadal, who will know this Thursday his path to the Olympic tournament, both in singles and doubles, after the draw to be held in the French capital.
Source: La Verdad
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