05/08/24 11:53:00
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05/08 11:51 CDT Nadal's clay game is rounding into form just in time for the
French Open. 'Things are happening.'
Nadal's clay game is rounding into form just in time for the French Open.
'Things are happening.'
By ANDREW DAMPF
AP Sports Writer
ROME (AP) --- Rafael Nadal's clay-court form is slowly rounding into shape.
Not that nearly invincible shape that the tennis world grew accustomed to over
the past two decades. But a shape that the 22-time Grand Slam champion is
starting to feel good about as he prepares to play what will likely be his
final French Open.
"It's a good moment, even if the results are not what (they) used to be," Nadal
said at the Italian Open on Wednesday. "But I am increasing my feeling, my
level. ... I want to keep going."
The 37-year-old Nadal, who has indicated that this will be his final year on
tour, has played only nine matches this year after missing nearly all of 2023
due to a hip injury that required surgery.
But he's coming off his most encouraging performance of the year, having put
together three straight wins at the Madrid Open last week before losing in
straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round.
Before Madrid, he won only one match in Barcelona.
"The line is going up, without a doubt," Nadal said, making a gesture with his
hand to demonstrate his improvement. "Happy to be today where I am because one
month ago for me was almost impossible to think that I will be able to play in
Barcelona, then in Madrid, and now being here in Rome. ... Things are happening.
"All the matches are tough for me today and difficult and more unpredictable
than what the matches used to be for me, especially on clay," Nadal added. "I
accept that role. I accept that challenge. I am excited about the way that I
can be able to play if I keep working the proper way and my body allows me."
Nadal is hoping to be competitive one last time at Roland Garros, where he is
the record 14-time champion. Rome is his last big warmup tournament before the
clay-court Grand Slam starts on May 26.
"First of all, I want to play Rome. That's the tournament that I am (at) today.
I don't think after that," said Nadal, who had his 1-year-old son courtside for
his practice sessions at the Foro Italico this week.
Nadal's opening match in Rome is scheduled for Thursday against Belgian
qualifier Zizou Bergs, who is ranked No. 108.
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic, who is also back in Rome after a month out, is on
the opposite half of the draw from Nadal. But second-ranked Jannik Sinner and
third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz both withdrew because of injuries.
Djokovic hasn't played for nearly a month --- since he lost to Casper Ruud in
the Monte Carlo Masters semifinals. He's also without a title this year --- the
first time he's reached May without a trophy since 2018 when he was returning
from a right elbow injury.
But the 36-year-old Serb was optimistic about his chances of defending his
French Open title.
"I think I'm on a good route to peak at Roland Garros in Paris," Djokovic said.
"Hopefully here in Rome I can play better than I did in Monte Carlo."
Djokovic added that his withdrawal from the Madrid Open wasn't because of
physical issues.
"It was not part of the schedule," he said. "The plan was to come here. That's
basically it."
Nadal has won the Italian Open a record 10 times and he rated his first two
titles at the Foro Italico as his most memorable: five-set victories over
Guillermo Coria and Roger Federer in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
Starting in 2007, the Rome final was switched to a best-of-three sets format.
"Most of (the) important moments of tennis have been playing in matches
best-of-five because at the end of the day that makes the matches more
emotional, more dramatic, the people get more involved," Nadal said. "Those
amazing battles that are part of the history of our sport.
"It's true that I won 10 times here. But if you tell me my memories, for me I'm
much more fresh the memories of the first two victories in five sets against
Coria and against Roger than the other (titles). Even if I had amazing, good
matches against Novak, against great players," Nadal added. "But that's what I
think the people remember more."
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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