Rafael Nadal unsure about French Open after second-round Italian Open loss

With the most important tournament of his career on the cards, Rafael Nadal is not sure about his French Open participation. The Spaniard suffered a straight set loss against Hubert Hurkacz in the second round of the Italian Open on Saturday.

The Pole comprehensively won by 6-1, 6-3 to advance to the third round. Nadal admitted he didn’t play at his best and he was not happy with his level of tennis despite feeling more prepared. 

However, it hasn’t been an easy road for Nadal as he hasn’t played consistently in the last 18 months. 

“Tough day for me in all ways because I felt more ready than what I showed,” Nadal said. “I am little bit more unpredictable today, not playing enough for the last two years. Too many doubts.”

The veteran shared his doubt for the Roland Garros, which he has won on 14 occasions.

“One is to say, ‘OK, I am not ready, I am not playing enough well,'” Nadal said. “Another is accept how I am today and work the proper way to try to be in a different way in two weeks.

“The decision, as you can imagine, is not clear in my mind today. But if I have to say what’s my feeling and if my mind is closer one way or the other way, I’m going to say be in Roland Garros and try my best. Physically I have some issues, but not probably yet enough to say not playing in the most important event of my tennis career.”

The 22-time Grand Slam champion also shared doubts on his fitness ahead of the second slam of the year.

“Let’s see what’s going on, how I feel myself mentally tomorrow, after tomorrow and in one week,” Nadal said. “If I feel ready, I going to try to be there and fight for the things that I have been fighting the last 15 years, if now seems impossible.”

The French Open will begin on 20th May.