Nadal is smiling again, but he doesn’t dare to dream! Rafa’s Roland Garros announcement

Rafael Nadal managed to smile again. The Spaniard successfully passed a difficult test, and at the press conference he gave an optimistic speech: “I’m happy. Obviously, I was coming off a couple of days where it was hard for me to think that I would be in the third round. Not much changes for me either, but I wasn’t going to endure a match of more than two hours, still at home and with these fans, it was amazing. To this day, I still have a hard time thinking about great things.”Rafa said in front of the journalists.

Rafael Nadal made it clear that all he wants now is not to get injured until the end of this tournament: “My priority continues to be that nothing serious happens this week and to explore what can happen in the coming weeks on all levels, but especially physically, which is the key. Then if I respond well physically, let’s see how tennis responds, which is not automatic either. I have played very little lately and I have a lot to improve.

I spent very few weeks in the circuit. Little by little this also helps you to read the game better, the balls. There are times when I wish I could switch direction more easily, but I had to play a little slower game, attacking the balls I could attack. In the second set I was able to turn my lapel a little bit more towards his forehand, but what I mean is that I have to play tactically, in a way where things don’t happen so fast, so that I have more time and not having to make such accelerated movements. I managed to maintain a fair level of tennis and fitness for just over two hours, which is important”.

Furthermore, Rafa Nadal elaborated on his statement that he may miss Roland Garros: “It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about going with the feeling of being competitive and being able to dream. If I’m not able to do that, I’d rather stick with all the great memories I have. I have no idea -I have if today’s match encourages me. I think in the last few days the sensations of my body have improved, but I am still not sure. I understand that it is difficult for those who are not part of my team to understand, but for me , Roland Garros is the most important tournament in my tennis career, right?

And all the things that I experienced there, that I enjoyed there, remain in my heart forever. So if I’m not able to go on the field and dream, even if it’s a minimal percentage, it doesn’t make sense for me to go on the field. I’d rather stick with all the great memories I have. I want to be there, and even if I lose, but, you know, go on the court with a chance to dream of something big, if that happens, I’ll be on the court. If I’m not allowed to have that happen, even if it’s a very, very small percentage, I probably won’t go on the field. That’s the feeling, and it’s best of five games, so it’s a different story.”.

Asked if this victory changes his expectations in any way, Rafa gave an immediate answer: “No, my outlook is determined by my day-to-day life, not by a match. To have a change of perspective on the situation I have to be convinced that my physique is responding, I have to regain confidence in my body, which it’s normal not to have it because a lot of things have happened lately. Then I have to regain my confidence in tennis and in every way. I played two matches last week, if it doesn’t happen nothing weird, I’ll be able to play three. That’s five games in two weeks at least, I haven’t been able to do that for two years.”.

Rafa went on to talk about the joy that sport brings to people’s lives: “Sport has a fantastic thing, it excites people. It’s the great attribute that sport has. I’m not saying it for me, the other day Real defended like crazy for 120 minutes, ended up winning on penalties and everything it’s incredible and if you lose, maybe the approach would have been a disaster. In the first set, I get to 6-6 and then I break through to win the set. We who compete, although we are also infected with that excitement and emotion, see what the sport is in the general state, not just the emotional state. I get as excited when I see Tiger playing and feeling overwhelmed, the reality is it’s been a long time since I’ve competed.

You get emotional, but the reality is that it’s a game, in two days we start all over again and my glass is filled with energy and confidence, but today I’m far from being able to aspire to things. I think it is an important step, big things are built with small steps, but unfortunately the reality is different. That doesn’t mean I’m not excited and hopeful for the future. If I didn’t have them, I wouldn’t be here. If I’m here it’s because I keep hoping that things will get better and because the game of tennis continues to excite and motivate me.”.