Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Thursday, April 25, 2024
Suffering was the path to salvation for Slam in the past Rafael Nadal.
After sweeping the 16-year-old surprise card Darwin Blanch in Madrid today, Nadal discussed the physical stumbling blocks.
Rafa Nadal: Not Fully Ready for Madrid, Will All Play Paris
The king of clay launched his comeback in Barcelona last week after being sidelined for 103 days due to a microtear in the muscle around his hip which was surgically repaired. Nadal is reported to have suffered from a stomach injury, which affected his performance a bit.
The 37-year-old Spanish player says he tries to do his best on the court, but his body can sometimes get in the way.
“I mean, I try to play with my 100%, but I can't give my 100% every day,” Nadal told reporters in Madrid. “But I give my 100% every day. The first thing, most of the time, I was able to give my 100% of 100%.
“Today I can give my 100% sometimes 40%, sometimes 60%, sometimes 70%, and if I can increase this percentage day by day or week by week, why not in the future what is possible?” If not, it's impossible and pointless.”
It will take a lot of effort against Nadal Alex de Minaur, the man who got him out of Barcelona last week, in the Madrid rematch.
“Today is a different story. I mean, I've never had this long without playing and important surgery,” said Nadal. “And I've never been nearly 38 (smiles). I was a different age.
“And I'm trying, as always, I'm trying. Let's see. I'm not negative. I'm telling the truth. I'm here to try to see what can happen in the next few weeks.”
Photo credit: Pedro Salado/Getty
